My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 312 The Ministry of Rites' Intentions Were Malicious

"Brother Zilin, your memorial has been approved!"

When Shen Yiguan rushed to the newspaper office, Su Ze also saw the system report.

The memorial requesting the establishment of a preparatory course at the Imperial Academy was passed, and the emperor decreed the establishment of a preparatory course at the Imperial Academy to enroll children under the age of fourteen.

The Imperial College's preparatory courses became the prototype of modern public primary and secondary school education, ushering in an era of widespread knowledge dissemination among citizens.

The Imperial College's preparatory school became a stronghold for practical learning, and the talent it cultivated greatly promoted the development of practical education.

The advent of the knowledge-based era for citizens has promoted social development and given citizens a greater voice, posing a greater challenge to the traditional order.

[National fortune +1.]

[Prestige +200.]

[Remaining Prestige: 760.]

Su Ze wasn't surprised by this result.

In the original timeline, modern history was marked by a series of upheavals accompanying the spread of knowledge.

In feudal times, intellectuals were part of the ruling class, and all conflicts were internal to the ruling class.

In the historical records of the feudal era, "common people" were merely embellishments used to describe emperors and generals.

When encountering someone to be praised, say how much the people love and respect them; when encountering someone to be criticized, say how much the people hate them.

In any case, the pens are in the hands of the historians, who can write whatever they want.

However, with the popularization of knowledge, the new social class also has its own channels for expression, and naturally it will strive for more benefits.

In the great era of the past few hundred years, there have been both national conflicts and conflicts between social classes.

This was also the "era of great contention" that Su Ze had foreseen.

Therefore, being granted an additional year of national life is already a pretty good result.

Su Ze shut down the system and said to Shen Yiguan:
"The Prime Minister sent someone early this morning to tell me to make proper preparations for the preparatory school."

That makes sense. Shen Yiguan had heard that Gao Gong attached great importance to this matter, so it was normal for Su Ze to receive the news earlier than him.

Shen Yiguan continued:

"It's all over the place in the capital, but I wonder how Brother Zilin plans to select the children for school?"

With the establishment of the Imperial College's preparatory school, the recruitment of students became the most crucial issue.

What's the use of a school if there are no students?

Su Ze stood up and said:
“Brother Jianwu reminded me, so I’ll go to the Ministry of Rites right away.”

"The Ministry of Rites!?"

Shen Yiguan pulled Su Ze aside and said:

"Brother Zilin, are you going to the Ministry of Rites now?"

Su Ze said:

"This concerns education administration; if not the Ministry of Rites, then the Ministry of Revenue?"

Shen Yiguan said:
"Brother Zilin, don't you know that the Ministry of Rites hates you to the bone? You're going to the Ministry of Rites now?!"

Su Ze said:

"A gentleman uses words, not fists. I believe the gentlemen of the Ministry of Rites won't beat me up, will they?"

"Speaking of this matter, we really need the Ministry of Rites' help with the selection of young children."

Unable to persuade Su Ze, Shen Yiguan could only say:
“Then I will accompany Brother Zilin to the Ministry of Rites.”

Su Ze said, moved:
"Thank you so much, Brother Jianwu, for helping me out!"

Shen Yiguan shook his head and said:

"Before you get hit, I'll run out and ask Grand Secretary Gao to save you."
-
As expected, Su Ze stepped into the Ministry of Rites, only to be met with unfriendly stares this time.

However, to Shen Yiguan's surprise, these unfriendly officials from the Ministry of Rites did not surround him, but instead stared at Su Ze from a distance.

This situation was even beyond Su Ze's expectations.

In fact, Su Ze was unaware that the officials from the Ministry of Rites originally intended to strongly oppose him, and they were even planning to storm Su Ze's residence to cause trouble.

However, after Gao Gong released Su Ze's theory of the "contradiction between righteousness and profit," the Ministry of Rites began to study this theory.

They tried to find loopholes in it, but found that Su Ze's theory was logically quite complete.

Not only that, some people started applying this theory to analyze specific problems, and then they found that the theory was surprisingly useful.

Humanities and social sciences may not have the formulas of science, but they do have methodologies.

Wang Yangming was able to establish his own school of thought because of his methodology of "extending innate knowledge."

Although the various schools of thought in the philosophy of mind have not been able to fully debate this methodology and each has its own interpretation, the methodology of "extending innate knowledge and becoming a sage" has put forward the so-called method of "cultivation".

The essence of Confucian self-cultivation lies in engaging with the world and solving practical problems.

Therefore, the philosophy of mind spread rapidly, and Confucian scholars of all schools of thought did not mind using the methodology of the philosophy of mind to practice their own cultivation.

Su Ze, however, proposed a different methodology.

This methodology is much easier to understand than the abstract concept of "extending one's innate knowledge." It starts with the concepts of "righteousness" and "profit," which are understandable to ordinary scholars, and provides a method for analyzing and solving problems.

Of course, everyone has different perspectives and entry points, and may have different analyses of the contradictions in the same issue, and even the primary and secondary contradictions may differ.

But that's shocking enough!
Su Ze really came up with a practical methodology, and this methodology is indeed in line with "practicality"—it is a methodology that can solve practical problems!
Upon arriving here, the Ministry of Rites no longer cared about hating Su Ze.

If we cannot find the flaws in Su Ze's methodology, then practical learning will truly become a new school of Confucianism, following in the footsteps of the philosophy of mind.

Therefore, although the officials of the Ministry of Rites hated Su Ze, they dared not step forward to debate him openly.

Su Ze and Shen Yiguan arrived at the residence of Yin Shidan, the Minister of Rites, without any obstacles.

Yin Shidan was also a master of Confucianism and had a certain magnanimity, so he directly let the two of them in.

"This humble official pays his respects to the Grand Minister of Rites!"

Su Ze bowed to Yin Shidan. Why did this Minister of Rites look so haggard?
Yin Shidan glanced at Su Ze; his haggard appearance was naturally Su Ze's fault.

These days he has been studying the "theory of the contradiction between righteousness and profit". He originally wanted to find flaws and write articles to refute it, but he found that this methodology was surprisingly useful.

This naturally made Yin Shidan even more upset.

Using Su Ze's usual tactics, his memorials always manage to lure all participants under the guise of "righteousness" and "profit," ultimately achieving his own goals.

In other words, Su Ze has consistently used this methodology to analyze and solve problems. Doesn't this further validate the reliability of this methodology? Who in the court doesn't know the significance of his two monthly memorials, the absolute guarantee of approval?
However, Yin Shidan and other officials in the Ministry of Rites were unaware that Su Ze possessed a special ability. The "theory of the contradiction between righteousness and profit" was not a panacea. Even if one knew the problem and analyzed it, solving the problem still required practical action.

This is also why Su Ze is not interested in these theories.

However, Su Ze disliked it, but the scholars of the Ming Dynasty loved it.

Yin Shidan looked at Su Ze, his heart filled with complex emotions.

How did such a promising talent end up becoming a disciple of Gao Gong?
Why didn't you take Su Ze under your wing when you were the Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy?
If Su Ze could contribute to the study of mind, wouldn't that be wonderful?
For some reason, these thoughts flashed through Yin Shidan's mind, but he quickly pushed them out.

Now that things had come to this, Yin Shidan could only glance at Su Ze and then say in a sarcastic tone:
"What brings you, Hanlin Academician Su, to our Ministry of Rites? May I ask what brings you here?"

After exchanging greetings, Su Ze said:
"I have come to the Ministry of Rites to pay my respects to the Grand Minister of Rites regarding the matter of the enrollment of students for the preparatory course at the Imperial Academy."

Yin Shidan looked at Su Ze. Was he here to mock the Ministry of Rites?

Su Ze said:
"His Majesty has decreed that virtuous and intelligent children from humble backgrounds be selected for the preparatory course at the Imperial Academy. Therefore, I would like to ask the officials of the Ministry of Rites for their assistance in recommending talented individuals for the preparatory course at the Imperial Academy."

Yin Shidan was almost laughing in anger at Su Ze. He didn't expect Su Ze to be so shameless. He slapped the Ministry of Rites hard and then asked the Ministry of Rites to rub his hand for him?

Yin Shidan said:
"The Ministry of Rites has always opposed the establishment of the Imperial Academy's preparatory course. Scholar Su should find someone else more capable."

Su Ze said:
"Grand Minister of Rites, cultivating talents for the country is the duty of the Ministry of Rites. His Majesty attaches great importance to the preparation of the Imperial Academy's preparatory course. Does the Ministry of Rites not even want to do something within its jurisdiction?"

Yin Shidan's face was grim; Su Ze was right.

The more he thought about it, the more awkward it felt. In the past, when the Ministry of Rites impeached others, they always stood on the moral high ground to deal with them. But this time, Su Ze was the one standing on the moral high ground, launching a frenzied attack on the Ministry of Rites.

Su Ze said to himself:

"The Ministry of Revenue has allocated one hundred places for the first batch of students in the Imperial Academy preparatory course, so I would like to select children aged twelve to fourteen from Shuntian Prefecture, Shanxi, and Shandong."

"Su's idea was to select meritorious officials first, and then select those from poor families who were known for their early intelligence, and these all required recommendations from the education officials."

Yin Shidan opened his mouth, wanting to refuse Su Ze, but couldn't find a reason.

Moreover, if we refuse Su Ze now, and he were to submit another memorial, the Ministry of Rites would be in an even more passive position.

Yin Shidan now understood what it felt like to be targeted by Su Ze.

"I still need to discuss this matter with the Ministry of Rites. You may go back now."

Yin Shidan could only use delaying tactics, and then let Su and Shen leave the Ministry of Rites.

After leaving the Ministry of Rites, Shen Yiguan complained:
"Brother Zilin, why do you want to ask the Ministry of Rites to have the education officials recommend talented people?"

"Just have the Ministry of Personnel issue an official document ordering the two provinces and one prefecture to recommend talented individuals."

"The assessments of the educational officials are all handled by the Ministry of Personnel, so why worry that they won't be able to recommend qualified children?"

Shen Yiguan was right. The education officials were nominally under the management of the Ministry of Rites, but in reality, they only provided professional guidance. The specific appointment and evaluation were in the hands of the Ministry of Personnel.

If Su Ze really needed these educational officials to do things, he could simply request the Ministry of Personnel to issue an official document.

However, Su Ze had other considerations.
-
Yin Shidan summoned officials from the Ministry of Rites and instructed them to notify the educational officials of Shandong, Shanxi, and Shuntian Prefecture to recommend the sons of meritorious officials and precocious children to study at the Imperial Academy.

This system for finding child prodigies actually existed long before the Ming Dynasty.

In the early Ming Dynasty, there was a system in which local officials recommended "Hanlin Academy scholars".

Li Dongyang, a famous child prodigy of the Ming Dynasty, was known as a child prodigy from a young age. He was summoned to the palace by the emperor and given the title of "Hanlin Academy Scholar".

The Ming Dynasty held child prodigies in high esteem, believing them to be auspicious omens signifying the prosperity of the nation's culture and education and a gift from Heaven to the Ming Dynasty.

By the Jiajing era, this system had gradually collapsed, and various regions would try to find so-called child prodigies and send them to the capital to be presented as auspicious omens to please the emperor.

The Jiajing Emperor abolished this system, and after the Jiajing reign, the phenomenon of "prodigy explosions" in the Ming Dynasty suddenly disappeared.

When the officials of the Ministry of Rites heard that Su Ze was going to hold another child prodigy contest, they instinctively opposed it.

Some officials even believed that Su Ze set up the Imperial Academy preparatory course in order to find child prodigies, fabricate auspicious omens, and flatter the emperor.

Yin Shidan coughed, finally managing to suppress the voices of the Ministry of Rites officials.

He said:
"In any case, the Imperial Academy's preparatory course is a done deal. No unqualified children should be recommended from various places. Any educational officials who make improper recommendations will be reprimanded by the Ministry of Rites."

The officials from the Ministry of Rites returned dejectedly. The more they thought about it, the angrier they became, so they simply began writing letters to local education officials they knew, telling them what had happened in the capital.
-
By the time the official documents from the Ministry of Rites and the letters from its officials reached the local areas, it was already February.

This time, the Imperial Academy's preparatory course only selected three regions that had implemented the civil service examination: Shanxi, Shandong, and Shuntian Prefecture.

This was naturally something Su Ze had considered. Children shouldn't have to travel too far from their hometown to study, as the journey would be too much for them.

In addition, Su Ze also considered that education is naturally linked to tax payment. Since the two provinces and one prefecture paid more commercial taxes, they should naturally receive preferential treatment.

However, the education officials of the two provinces and one prefecture probably wouldn't see this as a preferential treatment.

February 12th.

Lin Bingzheng, the provincial education commissioner of Shanxi, met with the preparatory class children recommended by Shanxi.

Lin Bingzheng was originally the magistrate of Fangshan County. Because of his contributions to Fangshan, he was promoted to the position of educational commissioner of Shanxi Province, in charge of the civil service examinations.

The Shanxi civil service examination was conducted well; the first batch of civil servants have all taken up their posts, and the second batch of civil service examinations has also been completed.

Immediately afterwards, Lin Bingzheng took on the task of selecting preparatory students for the Imperial Academy.

Unlike other educational officials who were generally resistant, Lin Bingzheng's promotion was due to Su Ze's efforts. After taking office, he maintained correspondence with Su Ze, as he wanted to do a good job in the preparatory course of the Imperial Academy.

But when Lin Bingzheng saw these young children, his brows furrowed.

Although these children were all wearing clean clothes, they were generally thin and weak, and some even looked malnourished.

Lin Bingzheng was worried that the local education officials were deliberately causing trouble, so he personally inquired about the children's knowledge.

However, although these children did not answer fluently, their answers were still quite proper.

If there are no problems with his studies, then send him to the capital.

Lin Bingzheng couldn't find any fault with it, so he ordered the Shanxi Provincial Education Office to let these children recuperate at the office first, so they wouldn't die from the bumpy journey.

Upon returning from the court, Lin Bingzheng summoned a new official from the Education Bureau and asked him and his colleagues to inquire about the process of selecting children in the local area.

Lin Bingzheng presided over the first civil service examination and was very influential among the new officials. In some ways, he was even more well-informed than the governor of Shanxi.

As expected, Lin Bingzheng received the news.

It turned out that local education officials were very resistant to the Imperial College's preparatory courses, but they did not dare to openly disobey and select unqualified children to go to the capital.

So they exaggerated the news among the people, telling the local gentry that the Imperial Academy's preparatory course was a "practical new policy" implemented by Su Ze, and that the scholars trained there were not actually there for the imperial examinations.

Upon hearing this news, the local gentry and noble families were naturally unwilling to send their sons to the capital.

The children selected in the end were all from poor families, but they studied diligently.

(End of this chapter)