Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 670: The True Emperor’s Disciple

After the emperor returned to Beijing, Prince Jin became much more relaxed.

If he didn't feel sorry for his elder brother's hidden illness and had to go to the palace from time to time to help deal with some state affairs, his life would be more leisurely.

It is already noon today, but the King of Jin is still sleeping late.

Inside the brocade tent, jade legs were spread out, with Prince Jin hugging one of the slender thighs, and another one draped over his abdomen, still soundly sleeping.

The two jade-like faces sleeping upside down in the tent were beautiful and charming. They were Han Su and Fu Guang.

"My king, my king, my king..."

The chief eunuch stood outside the curtain, calling out in a soft voice.

On the carpet in front of him was a scarlet bellyband embroidered with a picture of mandarin ducks playing in the water.

The eunuch chief was a little embarrassed, but he didn't know where to look, whether he looked up or down.

"Well, what are you arguing about!"

Zhao Qu woke up and muttered something unhappily.

"Your Majesty, the Left Counselor Yang Yuan requests to see you."

"Oh, ask him to come in."

Zhao Qu agreed in a daze and moved the round thigh under his head, using it as a pillow.

The eunuch chief was a little embarrassed: "Your Majesty, inviting Yang Jianyi here is not... appropriate, right?"

"Ok?"

Zhao Yu finally came to consciousness, rubbed his eyes, sat up, and moved the leg that was pressing on his stomach away.

As the lotus platform was inevitably exposed during this move, Han Su opened her charming eyes and felt embarrassed when she saw the scene. She quickly retracted her thighs and slapped Zhao Qiu coquettishly.

Zhao Yu laughed, parted the curtain, walked out naked, and stood on the carpet.

The chief eunuch waved his hand quickly, and four palace maids rushed in briskly to change his clothes and dress him up.

Zhao Yu still had his eyes half closed, as if he was neither awake nor awake.

This state continued until he met Yang Yuan in the study and heard Yang Yuan explain his purpose.

"Hmm? You said that the woman who is going to take the imperial examination is from the Guo family in Jinzhou?"

"Exactly."

Zhao Qu became much more sober and began to ponder.

Yang Yuan told Zhao Yu what he had found out, and added: "I think what Miss Guo said may not be entirely true.

But she could have such thoughts and took it for granted, and even regarded it as a great injustice, thinking that she could fulfill her wish by filing a complaint with the emperor. But she didn't know how many people in Sichuan and Shaanxi thought the same as her. "

"Um……"

Zhao Qu nodded, he understood Yang Yuan’s thoughts.

He had discussed this matter in secret with his eldest brother yesterday, and he was also worried about this issue.

Zhao Qu thought for a moment, then suddenly looked at Yang Yuan with interest and said, "So, what does Erlang mean?"

Yang Yuan said: "I discovered these signs, so I came to report to the king. I naturally feel that once this kind of thinking is formed, there will be endless troubles.

If one regards the garrisoned land as private property and the court official position as hereditary, then once the court moves the location or transfers the position, there will probably be chaos.

But as an official, the court cannot transfer or demote him, so is he still a minister of the court? "

Zhao Yu's face turned serious.

Yang Yuan said: "However, although we must guard against it, we must also be careful not to guard too much. The court must prevent the Western Army from becoming a vassal state, but it cannot control it too strictly, thereby weakening its combat effectiveness."

Zhao Yu considered and asked, "So, what do you think?"

Yang Yuan said: "Western Xia is sharpening its sword, so it is not appropriate to make any big moves at this time. The generals of the Western Army can still lead the army for a long time without redeploying or relocating to the capital.

However, the power to command troops and the power to mobilize troops must still be strictly separated. If local civil officials want to avoid being controlled by military generals, their power to be regularly transferred and directly controlled by the court must be strengthened.

In addition, the Western Army now has three major forces, which is good. It allows them to check and balance each other. As long as no one force dominates the rest, there won't be too much trouble.

At present, the three main forces of the Western Army are in Lizhou Road. We can send civil officials who are familiar with military affairs to serve as local military and political chiefs in the south of Lizhou Road, in the direction of Yizhou Road and Kuizhou Road.

After the threat from Western Xia is resolved and Sichuan and Shaanxi are stabilized, we can also conduct a small-scale exchange of the generals of Lizhou East Road and Lizhou West Road. This will not only prevent the soldiers from not knowing the generals, and the generals from not knowing the soldiers, but also cut off their small hills, and the control of the court will naturally be strengthened. "

"Well……"

Seeing Zhao Yu listening intently with his chin pinched, Yang Yuan hurriedly added, "I have not specifically learned about the situation in Sichuan and Shaanxi, so what I said may not be accurate.

In fact, the right and wrong of many principles are all in a certain degree. If it is too much, it will be too little. If it is too little, it will be insignificant. The application of it depends on one's heart. "

"Well, I understand."

Zhao Yu nodded and said, "You should appease Miss Guo first. If she wants to continue the exam, you can let her do it.

However, we cannot let her cause trouble. Regarding the issue of the Western Army, I will report it to His Majesty for his decision as soon as possible!"

……

After Yang Yuan left, Zhao Qu had his "breakfast" first, then drank a few cups of tea, and digested what he had discussed with Yang Yuan today, then went to the palace.

Today was not a court meeting, and Zhao Yuan was reviewing memorials at this time. When they heard that Zhao Yu had arrived, the two brothers dismissed their attendants and began to discuss the matter in secret again.

"You mean, let Yang Yuan go to Sichuan and Shaanxi to serve as the governor and pacifier to contain the Western Army and strengthen the court's control over the Western Army?"

After hearing what Zhao Yu said, Emperor Zhao Yuan was a little hesitant.

Zhao Yu asked, "Brother, do you think Yang Yuan is too young and lacks experience and prestige to control those arrogant and powerful generals?"

Zhao Yuan said slowly, "I am worried that he is young and cannot be as thoughtful as the veterans. If he makes a big mistake, it may affect his future."

So that's how it is. It seems that the eldest brother really values ​​him and is reluctant to let him take risks to avoid accidentally staining his resume.

Zhao Yu was very happy, but after thinking about it, he said, "Brother, I don't think this is a problem. Yang Yuan is a top scholar who won the top three prizes in the imperial examinations, and he also won the great victory at Lingbi.

Previously, when he was dealing with Jin, Xinjin, Goryeo, and Japan, he used his eloquence and his ability to persuade all the countries to bow to the Song Dynasty. Who could underestimate such a person? "

Zhao Yu smiled and said, "To take a step back, even if he really suffers a loss, it may not be a bad thing.

The young man is full of pride and ambition, and it is better for him to suffer a loss now than to suffer a serious setback in the future.

I know what my eldest brother is worried about. However, considering all the achievements he has made, a loss won't have much of an impact.

Did Zhang Jun suffer a great loss in Fuping? Isn't he a prime minister now? "

Zhao Yuan was somewhat moved by what he said.

Zhao Yu added: "Since my elder brother is interested in cultivating him, he should be sent to a post outside the capital at least once in two years. Now that the court is in need of talents, he is suitable for the post, so what's the harm in sending him out earlier?"

Zhao Yuan nodded and said, "What Brother Qu said makes sense. However, it is inappropriate to transfer him right after he took up the post of Counselor.

He must stay in this position for at least a full year."

Zhao Yu smiled and said, "What's the big deal? Since Big Brother wants to make some moves in Sichuan and Shaanxi, he wants to do it in a low-key manner. It's not something that needs to be arranged right away.

There will be no shortage of Sichuan and Shaanxi officials involved, and the process of consideration and adjustment will take about a year."

Zhao Yuan's eyes flickered, and after thinking for a while, he slowly nodded and said, "Okay, but you don't have to tell him about this for now, lest he become dissatisfied with his current position. When the time is right, I will talk to him."

……

After Lu Jiuyuan returned to the Imperial College, he sorted out the contents of the two lectures by "Mr. Mu Yi".

Lu Jiuyuan added many annotations based on his own understanding and elaboration. After he had revised it several times, he copied it again neatly and sent it to the Persian Bookstore.

Lu Jiuyuan is actually the founder of this discipline. Although he has not yet formed his own theoretical system, he naturally has a very deep understanding of these academic disciplines that were formed on the basis of his theory, and the annotations he added are just right.

After receiving Lu Jiuyuan's manuscript, Li Shishi made some minor revisions and asked the Persian Book House to print it as a book.

When she went to Wansong Academy to give lectures again, she gave a copy of the printed book to all the scholars and writers who came to listen to her lectures.

In this era, those who can publish academic works seriously are all masters.

"Mr. Mu Yi" was a person who was highly respected even by Chen Junqing, the ruler of the time. Naturally, he was revered as a great academic master at this time.

For a time, "Mr. Mu Yi's" Shu studies became the most popular subject at the time.

People in the Imperial College and the Imperial Academy copied his articles, studied them and debated them, and gradually a group of believers in the new Shu school emerged.

Lu Jiuyuan, the only disciple previously accepted by "Mr. Mu Yi", naturally became the leader of these students who believed in the New Shu School.

On the day when the results of the "release examination" were announced, Guo Yuxiu's name was on the list.

She actually passed the imperial examination and became a juren, although her ranking was not that high.

Of course, this incident caused a sensation in Lin'an Prefecture.

Next, the Ministry of Rites will begin intensive preparations for the upcoming "Ministry of Rites Examination".

Sun Yijia, the Minister of Rites, has had a hard time lately.

Shangshu Qu has already submitted his letter of recommendation for his successor. He recommended two people, namely his left and right assistant ministers, and he especially recommended Assistant Minister Sun.

However, due to his attitude towards Guo Yuxiu's reference to women, as well as the article he later wrote and widely circulated in the Imperial College and the Imperial Academy, the label of "a believer in Neo-Confucianism" became very clear.

But Zhao Yuan just hated Neo-Confucianism.

As an emperor, Zhao Yuan would not abandon a minister just because he did not believe in the academic ideas he advocated.

However, the Ministry of Rites is the government office in charge of education. How could the Minister of such an education-related government office be a person who believes in pseudo-learning?

Therefore, although Qu Mo had to resign after the Ministry of Rites examination, the identity of his successor was soon revealed: it was Minister Wang Shenzhi.

Minister Wang’s gamble was truly successful.

However, Minister Sun Yijia lost the opportunity to become the Minister of Rites because he believed in Neo-Confucianism.

When this news spread, the believers of Neo-Confucianism were hit hard.

At this time, Lin'an was preparing for the Ministry of Rites examination, and candidates from all over the country gathered in Lin'an.

Therefore, this academic debate was no longer limited to the scholars in Lin'an.

I don’t know how many scholars joined the discussion and research on the debate between Neo-Confucianism and Shuxue.

In this era, Confucianism has never had the upper hand and is often criticized and attacked.

Now that the emperor has clearly taken sides, the situation is clearer.

At this time, "Mr. Mu Yi" discussed with Lu Jiuyuan and several other new disciples, and published a detailed explanation of the new Shu school.

The original Shu school of thought was disorganized. It integrated many ideas from Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, but it did not have a systematic and clear theory.

Now with the inspiration from Li Shishi and the continuous imagination of Lu Jiuyuan, the true creator of the School of Mind, he actually figured it out.

"Mr. Mu Yi" was a wealthy man. Once a work was completed, it would be printed out immediately and given away for free to scholars and students.

For a time, young officials such as Lu You, Fan Chengda, Yang Wanli, and You Mao all became followers of the "Mu Yi School" after reading the two works of "Mr. Mu Yi" one after another.

As normal trade between Song and Jin resumed, some things that were easy to smuggle would inevitably be smuggled out.

As a result, Mr. Mu Yi's masterpieces soon appeared on the desks of Shangguan Luo in Xinjin and Xin Qiji in Jinan Prefecture of the Jin Kingdom.

In the court, the number of officials who criticized Neo-Confucianism gradually increased.

Secretary Lang Shiying submitted a memorial to the emperor requesting that the theories of the two Cheng brothers be banned from the imperial examinations in order to change the arrogant and boastful style of scholars.

Wang Huai, the Shaoqing of Taichang, wrote an article criticizing Neo-Confucianism, which caused scholars to engage in empty writing, with many people being able to write but few knowing, and their knowledge being not put to good use.

Zheng Bing, the chief clerk of the Imperial College, wrote in a memorial that "among the scholars and officials of modern times there are those who advocate Taoism (i.e., Neo-Confucianism), who are deceiving the world and stealing fame and should not be trusted."

Chen Jia, a student of the Imperial College who had already worshipped "Mr. Mu Yi" as his teacher, publicly wrote an article criticizing "the so-called Taoists among the literati in modern times" who ostensibly "pursue to rectify their hearts and be sincere, restrain themselves and return to propriety", but in fact are just "using the name to make things false".

For a time, science became a rat crossing the street, and everyone wanted to beat it.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Yuan accepted the opinions of these ministers and decided to denounce Neo-Confucianism as "pseudo-learning" and strictly prohibit its spread from then on.

Shen Gai felt that there was nothing wrong in criticizing a school of thought, but banning it in the name of the court seemed a bit too much, so he wanted to defend Neo-Confucianism.

But Zhao Yuan replied: "Isn't Taoism a good name? I am afraid that it will be used as a cover for evil, and the truth and falsehood will be confused."

Finally, an official decree was issued to ban the spread of Neo-Confucianism.

Zhao Yuan also wrote a preface to Su Shi's collection of essays in person to praise him, and posthumously named Su Shi "Wen Zhong" and Su Zhe "Wen Ding", and bestowed the title of Grand Tutor on Su Shi.

This further promoted the development of Shu studies.

However, the three Su brothers have passed away after all, and establishing a living role model for Shu studies will be more conducive to the development of Shu studies.

However, that "Mr. Mu Yi" moved like a dragon, and Chen Junqing's men were never able to track down his residence.

The emperor couldn't even confirm who he was and didn't know his background, so he naturally couldn't easily praise him.

However, at this time, Shu School had already gained great influence, and the grandmaster of the new Shu School, Mr. Mu Yi, remained elusive, which cast a veil of mystery around him, making him a bit like Guiguzi.

This kind of mystery has invisibly served as an alternative publicity effect for him.

Many scholars, literati, and court officials called themselves believers of "Muxue" and there was no obstacle at all.

Otherwise, if Li Shishi pushed Yang Yuan to the forefront and let people know that "Mu Yi" was Yang Yuan, it would create an obstacle to the spread of this new learning and the emergence of believers and supporters.

But on the other hand, once the time is ripe and Yang Yuan is equated with the "great Confucian scholar Mu Yi", Yang Yuan, the founder of the School of Mind, will immediately gain a large number of disciples from the scholar-official group!
(End of this chapter)