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Li Yong replied: "The most important thing is people, not any kind of knowledge. All kinds of knowledge can be summed up in only fourteen words: understand the Tao with the heart as the body, and manage the world for use. If scholars in the world can't understand the Tao with the heart, then Knowing astronomy at the top and geography at the bottom is of no benefit to the country or the people. If you only know the way and have the heart, but don’t know how to apply what you have learned, and don’t understand all kinds of miscellaneous learning and practical learning, then you will become a fake Taoist.”

"This statement makes sense." Zhao Han was extremely satisfied.

Historically, Gu Yanwu and Li Yong had repeatedly debated knowledge.Li Yong clearly proposed that the object of investigation should be extended to "ceremony, music, military punishment, taxation and farming", and even to practical studies such as "Taixi Water Law".

At that time, because of his great fame, he was invited by the Qing governor of Shaanxi to give a lecture at Guanzhong Academy.Although Li Yong accepted the invitation, he did not wear the clothes and hats given by the government, but only wore common clothes to give lectures.

After three months of giving lectures, he was recommended by the governor of Shaanxi to be an official. Li Yong refused eight times.This incident alarmed the Ministry of Rites, and sent a commissioner to visit, urging him to go to Beijing as soon as possible to become an official.Li Yong pretended to be sick and was bedridden, but was carried to Xi'an with the bed.When he reached the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, he grabbed a knife and committed suicide, but was stopped by the officials and had to be sent back to his hometown.

Li Yong continued to peddle his own ideas: "The chaos of the world lies in the righteousness of the people's hearts. The righteousness of the people's hearts lies in the clarity of academics. The brightness of academics lies in the likes and dislikes of the current world. The death of the Ming Dynasty, in addition to land annexation, also perishes To get scholars by stereotypes is to perish when everyone is chasing profit!"

"Continue." Zhao Han was noncommittal.

Li Yong said in detail: "There is nothing wrong with imperial examinations. Stereotyped essays are not a bad thing. However, stereotyped imperial examinations cannot find chapters and excerpt sentences. If things go on like this, the learning of sages will be ruined and fall into the evil situation of taking righteousness out of context. Jinshi Juren , Learning does not distinguish the true meaning of sages and sages, and governing the people does not understand farming, mulberry and harvest. I study hard in the cold window, only seeking the title of the gold list. After three years of clearing the magistrate, one hundred thousand snowflakes and silver, they want fame and profit, but they do not repay the emperor's favor , Not sympathetic to the suffering of the people."

"To study and learn, the first thing is to correct the mind, and the second is to be pragmatic. Not only must the minds of the scholars be corrected, but also the minds of all the people in the world. If you persuade the good and eliminate the evil, everyone will do good, and the social atmosphere will be correct. Your Majesty promotes education, and children can Three years of free reading, as long as it is implemented for 20 years, this move will surely correct the hearts of the world."

"That's all?" Zhao Han felt that it was not enough.

Li Yong went on to say: "The granary knows the etiquette, and the food and clothing are enough to know the integrity. If you want to correct the hearts of the people in the world, you must not only let the people in the world read good books, but also let the people in the world eat enough and wear warm clothes. The people are freezing. Is it a joke to let them observe the etiquette and know their shame after starving to death? Therefore, it is righteousness to let the people in the world read books, and it is pragmatic to let the people in the world have no worries about food and clothing. The two are indispensable. "

Zhao Han asked: "The Confucian scholars of the Imperial Academy look down on the practical scholars of the Qintian Academy. What's your opinion on this?"

Li Yong replied: "Confucius scholars who look down on practical learning are comprehending fake Confucian classics. Confucian classics are based on practical learning. If there is no practical learning, only classic learning is like a person who has only a head but no hands and feet. Similarly, only practical learning , ignorant of Confucian classics, like a burly fool."

Confucian classics here generally refers to Chinese philosophy.

Zhao Han was very satisfied with this young man, and finally expressed his attitude: "Principal Wang of Jinling University recommends you to be Zuo Chunfang's adviser. This official position is too low, and you can only learn from the ninth grade, which does not match your talents. But you have no education. Fame is too high-ranked rashly, and it will inevitably attract criticism, so you should be the Qing Jilang of Zuo Chunfang."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After all, Li Yong was only 25 years old, and he was quite excited when he was suddenly recognized by the emperor, but his face was still calm.

Qing Jilang was only a minor official of the eighth rank, responsible for the picketing and reporting of offending officials in the East Palace.It is also necessary to review the official documents of the East Palace, and to correct the violations and omissions in the official documents.

Zhao Han added: "The prince is studying in the Wenhua Palace, you can follow the prince around."

Li Yong finally couldn't be calm, he looked at the emperor in surprise, this is a close minister who asked him to be the prince.

The three major Confucian scholars in the late Ming Dynasty, Huang Zongxi and Li Yong, were all thrown to the prince by Zhao Han.Although Huang Zongxi was not an official of the Eastern Palace, he also served as one of the main lecturers of the Eastern Palace.

There is only one Sun Qifeng left, Zhao Han does not intend to use it.

Sun Qifeng lived in seclusion in Henan at this time, and has been recommended by many officials.But this person is too deeply involved with the Donglin Party, and he majors in Lu Wang's Psychology. Although he also strives to integrate the Psychology and Neo-Confucianism, advocating the practical application of the world, Zhao Han always feels that it is not to his liking.This gentleman, let's continue to be the master of his northern Confucianism among the people.

In the entire northern region, Sun Qifeng has been hailed as the number one Confucianist.

By the way, Sun Qifeng is also the village chief and primary school principal.

He originally lived in Beizhili, but his land was seized by the Tartars, so he had to flee to Henan with his clan.Many disciples followed him to settle in Henan.Scholars in Henan also seek him to study.Sun Qifeng called on the students to reclaim the wasteland, and a brand new village was formed amidst the chaos.

The young boy who studied under Sun Qifeng at first got two Jinshi in the first imperial examination of the New Dynasty of Datong.

Li Yong left the Forbidden City steadily, and not far from the city gate, he staggered and almost fell.He was so happy that he forgot to look at his feet, tripped over a foreign object and lost his balance.

"Be upright, be upright, don't be surprised by favor or shame!"

Li Yong clenched his fists tightly, thinking silently all the time, but he couldn't help but smile on his face.

Chapter 775 [The Book of Rites of the Prince]

Huang Zongxi's lecture content is "The Collection of Datong". He has been sick for the past few days and cannot come to work for the time being.

In the first class "Book of Rites", the instructor is called Zhang Erqi.

In the last years of Chongzhen, the Tartars plundered Shandong.Zhang Erqi's father stepped forward and killed the two Tartars alone. After being captured alive, he brutally killed them.His third brother also died tragically, and the fourth brother was almost buried and came back to life.

After the Tartars entered the customs, Zhang Erqi and his fourth brother burned the Shiwen, expressing their intention to sever the imperial examinations, and they would never be officials in the Manchu Qing Dynasty in this life.

He had been teaching in Shandong before, and was later invited to give lectures in Nanjing. Now he is famous all over the world because of his academics, and was specially recruited into the Imperial Academy as a master of Confucianism.Gu Yanwu read "Yili Zheng Zhujudu", admired his attainments in Confucian classics, and respected Zhang Erqi as "Zhuoran Confucian classics teacher".

A mansion in the Wenhua Palace is where the prince studies, and the cabinet officials next door are busy.

Zhao Kuanghuan came to Zhengzheng and bowed: "Meet Mr. Zhang."

Zhang Erqi got up to return the salute, and then held the ruler: "Prince, please sit down."

Zhao Kuanghuan and Zhang Erqi are sitting opposite each other, with a desk in the middle.

Li Yong stood beside him, and Hu Mengtai sat farther away.As a guest of the prince, Hu Mengtai read the book by himself, and seemed too lazy to pay attention to the teaching situation, but his ears were always erect.

There are some officials around, and there are also special personnel to record the content of the class.

Zhang Erqi said: "His Royal Highness, after this statement, there are no monarchs and ministers in this house, only teachers and students. If the prince is stubborn and does not obey the rules, he will still be beaten with the ruler."

Zhu Biao, the first prince of the Ming Dynasty, was often beaten by his teacher with a ruler.

After hearing this, Zhao Kuanghuan felt that the teacher in front of him was too serious, and he was not happy but also a little awed.

Zhang Erqi said: "To study, you must first show your ambition. Whether it is the old Ming dynasty or our Datong new dynasty, why do children learn "University" first after they are enlightened? The world, this is the ambition of a scholar in his life. From now on, whether it is Confucianism, history, rhetoric or miscellaneous studies, these studies must be developed around his own ambition. Have any other masters said these words?"

Zhao Kuanghuan replied: "Talk about it."

Zhang Erqi also said: "I teach people to read. There is a sequence of which books to read. The books on Confucian classics are "University", "Analects of Confucius", "Doctrine of the Mean", "Mencius", "Book of Songs", "Book of Changes", "Spring and Autumn", "Zhou Li", "Yi Li", "Book of Rites". History books, followed by "Compendium", "Pre-Bian", "Sequel", "Tong Ji" and "Da Zheng Lu" in the former Ming Dynasty. Books on miscellaneous studies, in order, are "University Yanyi", "Buxishan Reading Secretary", "General Examination of Documents", "Public Security Research Evidence", "Authentic Articles", "Zoushu of Famous Officials", and "Daming Huidian".

This gentleman is proficient in all five classics, and has studied history and miscellaneous studies intensively.

Zhang Erqi went on to say: "Your Majesty asked me to teach the prince, and only teach the "Book of Rites", not sequentially. This fact is helpless. But I still have to say what should be said. The prince should have learned the origin of the universe. My school , Qi is the foundation, reason is the end..."

"Cough cough!"

Hu Mengtai, who was reading with his head down, suddenly coughed and reminded Zhang Erqi not to add private goods.

Zhang Erqi hesitated to speak, but finally did not continue, and quickly returned to the main topic: "Has the prince ever studied "Book of Rites"?"

Zhao Kuanghuan replied: "In the middle school textbooks, there are excerpts from the Book of Rites."

Zhang Erqi was very dissatisfied with this. He felt that the Four Books and Five Classics were a gradual knowledge system.Primary and middle school students only learn excerpts of chapters, and their knowledge has been messed up.

However, Zhang Erqi is not a Taoist, and his academics also tend to be practical.

It can be seen from the fact that Qi is the foundation and reason is the end. Although he studied Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, he subverted Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.Qi-based, that is, focusing on the study of materials, the exploration of the world, and the practical practice of the world.

Zhang Erqi asked again: "Your Majesty, do you know what 'rituals' are?"

Zhao Kuanghuan replied: "It's the rules of etiquette."

Zhang Erqi said: "It's true, but it's not entirely true. Li, in the big sense, is a system and a convention. In a small sense, it's a technique of self-cultivation. The law is actually a kind of ritual, but it's the bottom line of ritual. "

"There are many things in the world that cannot be controlled solely by laws, otherwise they cannot be controlled at all. Just like acquaintances meet, greeting each other is an etiquette, but it is not illegal to not greet each other. The "Datong Township Covenant" formulated by His Majesty is a rural etiquette system. It persuades people to be kind and to help each other, and if you don’t abide by it, you won’t break the law, but you will be poked in the spine by your neighbors.”

"The rites of monarch and ministers, the rites of husband and wife, the rites of elders and children, these rituals and rituals can maintain the operation of the court, family, and society. What is the collapse of rituals and music? It means that the rituals are not suitable. The rituals are not suitable, and everyone is uneasy. , the chaos in this world is coming.”

Zhao Kuanghuan suddenly asked: "Sir, what should we do if the etiquette is not suitable?"

Zhang Erqi said: "Then we must seek change. Trees are moved to death, people are moved to life, there is nothing that will last forever. But the reform must be cautious. Since ancient times, people who have reformed the law, if they are not careful, they will be lost forever. The key to the reform is the first. Emotion and benefit. The etiquette must conform to the sentiment, then it is proper etiquette, and then the world will be convinced. The etiquette must conform to the interest, because everyone pursues profit, and it is against the great interests of the world. No one will abide by such etiquette."

"Love and benefit..." Zhao Kuanghuan thought about it, and suddenly said, "Isn't it love and reason?"

Zhang Erqi said: "A lot of times, people are unreasonable. Emotions come before reason, and interests come before reason. I don't talk about this kind of thing casually when I give lectures outside. But the prince is different. The prince will govern the country in the future. , must understand this truth.”

Hu Mengtai, who had been reading a book, looked up at Zhang Erqi at this moment, and he began to think that this gentleman was very interesting.

Zhang Erqi said: "Prince, please open the book. Qu Li said: Don't be disrespectful, just like thinking, An Ding speech, peace of the people! You can't grow long, you can't follow your desires, you can't be full of ambition, and you can't be extremely happy. The sage respects him, Fear it but love it...has the prince studied this article?"

Zhao Kuanghuan shook his head: "No."

Zhang Erqi explained the meaning and said: "Don't be disrespectful. Don't relax your self-restraint and vigilance, and always introspect yourself. A person who is a king should do this even more. Because you don't know who is flattering and who is loyal. As a king, Living in a deep palace. The king of the subjugated country in ancient times was deceived by the treacherous villains, and only when the rebellious army approached the city did he know that the country was in great trouble!"

"It's just like thinking. Don't be angry and talk, keep dignified, and always have a look of contemplation. As a king, you can't let your courtiers see through your mind. Once you are seen through, your courtiers will take medicine according to the prescription, and you will be led by your courtiers." Keep your nose open. If you want to make your subjects unpredictable...Moreover, if you are a king, you don't express your attitude easily, then everything has room for reversal..."

"The peace speech. When you speak, you must not be impatient, you must be calm. Only when you speak in this way will you be convincing..."

"Arrogance cannot grow. Once a person is arrogant, he will easily lose his mind. Desires cannot be indulged...don't be complacent...don't let extreme joy beget sorrow..."

Thinking of the emperor's instructions, Zhang Erqi felt that he was speaking too seriously, so he said, "I use ancient emperors and civil and military examples for every sentence here, so that the prince can understand it more deeply and clearly..."

This gentleman really has something in his stomach. Explaining "Book of Rites" to the prince is very different from lecturing among the people.It is said everywhere about what one should do as a king, and all kinds of historical allusions are also readily available.

After a class, although Zhao Kuanghuan could not recite the original text, he had already fully understood the content of the article.

After class, Zhang Erqi left without looking back. He actually didn't like to give lectures to the prince.

Hu Mengtai also put away his books, and asked with a smile, "Is Your Highness satisfied with Mr. Zhang's lecture?"

"I don't hate it." Zhao Kuanghuan said.

"That's good." Hu Mengtai's status is very special, he is both the prince's guest (official position) and the prince's cousin.

The two went out together, and Li Yong and other officials followed.

Hu Mengtai pointed to Li Yong and said: "This is chosen by His Majesty, and he will follow every class."

Li Yong hurriedly cupped his hands and bowed: "Minister Li Yong, I pay my respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

"You're polite." Zhao Kuanghuan bowed his hands in return.

Introduce Li Yong emphatically to the prince, and Hu Mengtai slips away.

Zhao Kuanghuan is not a fool, he can even be said to be very smart.The Imperial City School was so rolled up, and with prodigies all over the place, the crown prince's grades were not at the bottom.At least compared with those students who were eliminated, the prince is completely at the top.

Since he is a close minister arranged by the father, he must be capable, and he must be familiar with it.

When leaving in a carriage, Zhao Kuanghuan recruited Li Yong: "You come up too."

Of course Li Yong didn't dare, he cupped his hands and said, "Prince, please observe the etiquette."

Zhao Kuanghuan understood what the teacher just said, but he immediately committed the crime. He smiled and said, "Which etiquette stipulates that the crown prince cannot ride in the same car with his subordinates? Come up quickly!"

"Obey." Li Yong, a wild man without a teacher, is certainly not a rigid person.

After they all got into the carriage, Zhao Kuanghuan asked, "Where are you from?"

Li Yong replied: "from Shanxi (Zhouzhi)."

The imperial carriage was very spacious. Zhao Kuanghuan found a comfortable position and half-lyed down, forgetting all the teacher's teachings in class: "People from Shaanxi, I also have a Shaanxi student in my class. I heard that during the reign of Chongzhen, there were severe droughts every year in Shaanxi. , are people rebelling everywhere?"

Li Yong said: "My father followed the governor of Shaanxi to seek thieves, and was killed by Zhang Xianzhong."

"Oh, I heard that a lot of people died at that time." Zhao Kuanghuan sighed, but he was not really touched. The environment in which he grew up was destined to be separated from the bottom masses.

Li Yong said: "I have already figured it out. The trespassers and the eight thieves raised their troops because of natural disasters and man-made disasters. I really can't live anymore. What must be remembered is not the revenge of killing the father, but how to achieve the peace of the country and the people. People have If you have food and clothing, you will not follow the rebellion, and you will be able to prevent more people from being destroyed."

Zhao Kuanghuan nodded and said, "You are right."

Chapter 776 [Jiangsu Salt Administration]

When the prince was studying the East Palace course, Xu Ying also arrived in Yangzhou, the capital of Jiangsu.

The entire Jiangsu officialdom is wary of the new chief envoy.No way, Xu Ying's previous identity was too sensitive, and the emperor actually sent the "Head of Jinyiwei" to govern Jiangsu?

However, after more than half a month in Yangzhou, Xu Ying didn't seem to plan to change anything.

He just summoned subordinate officials normally, listened to reports from various prefectures and counties, and dealt with official documents step by step.

With this approach, some people are more vigilant, while others are completely relaxed.

Wang Mingran, who had been boating on the West Lake, heard that Xu Ying had become the Zuo Buzheng of Jiangsu Province, and was so frightened that he took a fast boat overnight to Yangzhou to meet him.

After handing out invitations for several days in a row, Wang Mingran was finally summoned.

"Caomin pays homage to the feudal lord!"

As a top salt merchant, Wang Mingran stepped forward to salute politely, standing in front of Xu Ying like a primary school student.

Xu Ying's attitude was very kind, even with a smile on his face, he greeted warmly: "Brother Mingran, please sit down quickly. You and I have known each other for many years, why should we be so alien?"

"Thank you, sir." Wang Mingran sat down nervously.

Xu Ying said: "It's been nearly ten years since the last farewell. My brother Mingran hasn't aged, he's still so energetic, and there isn't a trace of gray hair on his temples."

Wang Mingran apologized and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is concerned about labor, but in fact it is all dyed, and the temples have already turned gray."

Hair dyeing technology has long existed in ancient times. According to the "Hanshu", Wang Mang dyed his hair and beard black to show that he was not aging in order to calm his mind.

There are also unofficial records that Kou Zhun in the Song Dynasty dyed all his beards white to look mature and prudent, and used it to win the trust of the emperor.Su Shi also wrote a poem to ridicule Wang Tinglao, saying that this guy dyed his hair to look tender and shamelessly curry favor with the powerful minister Lu Huiqing.

Hair dyeing became more popular in the Ming Dynasty, and small advertisements were even pasted in the government offices of officials.

Xu Ying asked people to watch tea and didn't talk about business at all. She followed the topic of dyeing her hair and said: "I came to Yangzhou to take up my post this time, but I also found an interesting thing. There is a noble young man in the city who dyed his temples purple and brought his entourage Walking through the market, everyone who comes and goes looks sideways.”

"This hair monster!" Wang Mingran said.

Purple hair was not allowed to be dyed casually in the Ming Dynasty, but it was not prohibited in the Datong New Dynasty.