My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 329 Observing Tea, Serving the Best Tea
Su Ze received the news from Shen Shixing and was surprised by Zhang Jingxiu's unexpected good news.

Zhang Jingxiu has actually been appointed as the Dean of Studies at the Naval Academy?

The newly established navy certainly has many opportunities.

That's how newly established departments work: there's a large talent gap and many vacant positions. Once someone enters, they can be promoted quickly, unlike in saturated departments where you have to wait for someone to leave before you get a chance.

Zhang Jingxiu's resume is that of an outstanding naval talent.

He graduated from the Denglai Maritime Training Institute and was a scholar with a degree that was unparalleled in the navy. He experienced the early days of the navy and completed the first voyage of patrolling Okinawa, Penghu and Southeast Asia. He had thus fully accumulated the navy's academic qualifications and experience.

When the Naval Academy needed talent, he was transferred to the Naval Academy by Admiral Li Chao to serve as the Dean of Teaching.

With a resume like that, it would be hard for him not to succeed in the future.

Of course, opportunities and risks always coexist.

In those days, long voyages were very dangerous. The first voyage of the Ming Dynasty navy was by no means smooth sailing. They encountered more than a dozen pirate groups along the way, and more than a hundred sailors died from injuries and illnesses during this voyage.

Among them are many young people with impressive resumes who should have become future stars of the navy.

But they may have died from an injury at sea.

It can only be said that Zhang Jingxiu's promotion was a reward for his risky behavior, which he earned by risking his life.

Su Ze also agreed with Shen Shixing's view that the Naval Academy should be included in the enrollment plan for martial arts students, and that good young men from good families with good swimming skills should be recruited to study at the Naval Academy.

However, since he was going to set up a school, Su Ze decided to make it a big one.

He revised the memorial, then took it with him and went to the official in charge of reporting.
-
Ministry of Rites.

"Is Hanlin Su requesting an audience with the Grand Minister of Rites?"

The officials from the Ministry of Rites looked at Su Ze.

After Gao Gong took office as the Grand Secretary, the cabinet was left with only four cabinet ministers.

Gao Gong, Zhang Juzheng, Zhao Zhenji, and Lei Li, who was specifically in charge of water affairs.

The issue of adding cabinet ministers has been put on the agenda.

Yin Shidan, the Minister of Rites, was also a popular candidate for the cabinet.

Yin Shidan was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in the 26th year of the Jiajing reign (1547). He was selected as a Shujishi (a probationary official in the Hanlin Academy) and appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy.

He meets the cabinet minister's educational requirements.

Yin Shidan was also a former retainer of the current emperor when he was a prince. He had served as a lecturer in the Prince Yu's residence for a long time. After the emperor ascended the throne, Yin Shidan also served as the emperor's lecturer and often entered the palace to give lectures to the emperor.

His personal relationship with the emperor was also sufficient.

As the Minister of Rites, this was one of the pre-assigned positions in the cabinet.

As a popular candidate for Grand Secretary, Yin Shidan has been approached by many officials under the guise of official business.

Therefore, some time ago, Yin Shidan was so annoyed by this that he forbade all officials from visiting him.

However, Su Ze was different from other officials, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites did not dare to stop him. They could only receive Su Ze into the Ministry of Rites first, and then go to inform Yin Shidan.

How could he get in?

Several officials who were stopped outside the Ministry of Rites spoke indignantly.

The person next to the official quickly stopped him and said:

"Are you out of your mind! That's Su Hanlin!"

"Su Hanlin? Which esteemed person is he?"

"Yes, if that Hanlin scholar wants to see the Grand Minister of Rites, he can just see him whenever he wants. You and I should just wait obediently outside the door."

Sure enough, as soon as Su Ze entered the Ministry of Rites, an official came forward and said that Minister of Rites Yin Shidan was to see him in a side hall.

Su Ze arrived at the side hall of the Ministry of Rites, where he saw Yin Shidan waiting for him in the main seat.

Yin Shidan looked at Su Ze, his feelings somewhat complicated.

When he was serving as the Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy, Su Zegang was selected as a probationary official.

At that time, Yin Shidan did not see anything special about Su Ze, but after Su Ze wrote "A Memorial Requesting the Resumption of Morning Court Sessions" in the Hanlin Academy, he rose through the ranks.

He has now risen to the rank of fifth grade official.

Of course, a fifth-rank official was nothing in the eyes of Yin Shidan, the Minister of Rites, but Su Ze's influence in the court had reached the point where even the most powerful ministers had to take him seriously.

A few days ago, Su Ze submitted another memorial, requesting the emperor to grant permission for palace women to leave the palace to retire. As a result, the Grand Chancellor Li Fang resigned from his position as the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

Su Ze's memorial could even influence the fate of the Grand Chancellor, which is enough to show his power!

However, from Yin Shidan's perspective, his relationship with Su Ze is delicate.

Su Ze assisted Gao Gong in promoting practical learning, while Yin Shidan was a master of the School of Mind, leading to a conflict between their schools of thought.

Su Ze's several reforms encroached on much of the power that originally belonged to the Ministry of Rites, which made it difficult for him, the Minister of Rites, to manage the affairs.

Upon seeing Su Ze, Yin Shidan said, "Serve some tea."

"Greetings, Grand Minister of Rites."

After Su Ze bowed, he waited respectfully for Yin Shidan to offer him a seat, which pleased Yin Shidan, who valued etiquette.

Despite the numerous rumors that slandered Su Ze in the capital, his impeccable manners were always praised.

He always treated officials of higher rank with utmost courtesy, and never acted arrogantly towards officials of lower rank.

"Please have a seat. What brings you to the Ministry of Rites at this hour, Hanlin Su?"

Facing his former superior, Su Ze didn't keep him in suspense. He took out a memorial and handed it to Yin Shidan, saying sincerely:
"I have come here for matters concerning the Ministry of Rites, and also for the matter of Your Excellency's entry into the cabinet."

"Join the cabinet?"

These two words stung Yin Shidan.

Who wouldn't want to go further in this position?
Yin Shidan had always wanted to join the cabinet, and after Gao Gong took over as Grand Secretary, Yin Shidan wanted to join the cabinet even more.

Among the cabinet ministers, Gao Gong strongly advocates practical learning, while Zhang Juzheng, though not fond of practical learning, is also not fond of the philosophy of mind.

Zhao Zhenji was a master of the School of Mind, but his attitude towards the School of Mind was not as firm as I am. Instead, he treated the School of Mind as an academic tool and did not care about its affairs.

Yin Shidan himself was a master of Neo-Confucianism who co-chaired the Lingji Palace Conference with Xu Jie.

For the sake of the study of mind, Yin Shidan was determined to enter the cabinet!

Upon hearing Su Ze mention the words "entering the cabinet," Yin Shidan picked up the memorial and began to read it.

Discussion on Elementary Education

After reading it word by word, Yin Shidan said to his subordinates:

"Bring me the finest tea! Bring up my treasured tea!"

Immediately afterwards, Yin Shidan looked at Su Ze with eager eyes and asked:

"Zilin, how confident are you?"

Su Ze said:

"Originally, we were only 30% confident, but now, with the support of the Grand Minister of Rites, we are 50% confident."

Su Ze's original memorial was the one he and Shen Shixing discussed, which proposed selecting martial arts students from various regions and having them recommended by educational officials to enroll in the preparatory courses for the martial arts academy or the naval academy.

However, after unexpectedly gaining Zhang Jingxiu's support, Su Ze's ambitions grew.

This "Discussion on Elementary Education" not only proposed the establishment of preparatory courses for the military and navy, but Su Ze also went so far as to propose the establishment of primary schools in local areas.

In this way, Su Ze completed the shaping of the education system of the Ming Dynasty.

Each county sets up a primary school and recruits ten-year-old children to study and learn to read and write. This stage mainly focuses on enlightenment education and moral education, and teaches basic arithmetic knowledge.

When children reach the age of fourteen, those who pass the examination by local education officials can choose from four different places to go.

One option was to go to the preparatory course of the Military Academy, complete two years of study, pass the examination, and be promoted to the Military Academy.

One was the Naval Preparatory Course, which also involved two years of study before entering the Naval Academy.

Alternatively, one could stay in the county to continue studying and participate in the imperial examinations. Finally, one could advance to the preparatory course at the Imperial Academy.

Compared to the original timeline, both the Military Supervisory Preparatory School and the Naval Preparatory School were specialized army and navy secondary schools.

The Imperial College Preparatory Course was a comprehensive secondary school.

The Imperial College preparatory course offers a wider range of choices, including various specialized colleges founded by Su Ze. If desired, students can also take the exams for the Military Academy and the Naval Academy, thus avoiding the military system becoming too closed off.

The three-tiered system of primary school – preparatory school (secondary school) – university is now basically complete.

After reading Su Ze's plan, how could Yin Shidan not be excited?

The Ming Dynasty originally had schools as well.

County schools, prefectural schools, the Imperial Academy, and various private academies.

However, these schools are different from schools in the modern sense.

County schools and prefectural schools were places where scholars with certain academic achievements studied.

The Imperial Academy (Guozijian) served the function of cultivating talents in the early years of the dynasty, but it gradually fell into disuse as the imperial examination system grew stronger.

Su Ze's system can be seen as a return to the original purpose of education, focusing on cultivating talent.

Primary schools need teachers, but where do we find these teachers?
In Su Ze's memorial, primary school teachers in various regions were divided into two categories.

One type was a local tutor who could teach in a primary school by passing a teacher qualification exam administered by the education commissioner.

Another option is for graduates of the Imperial College's preparatory course; if they also pass the teacher qualification exam, they can also teach in primary schools.

Primary school is an institution for introducing literacy; it does not require a high level of academic qualifications.

Primary schools were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, and these teachers were also under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites.

Su Ze proposed setting up the same treatment for sixth-grade officials and teachers, with salaries similar to those of local county officials, and promotions based on seniority and ability.

What a grand and ambitious plan this is!

For the Ministry of Rites, this increased their authority!

If each county sets up a primary school, how many primary schools would that be?
If all these primary schools were under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Rites would no longer be a hollow department, but a super-ministry with tentacles reaching into local areas.

Su Ze had already helped the Ministry of Rites plan everything from talent development to institutional setup.

Yin Shidan simply couldn't find a reason to refuse.

However, he calmed down and realized that there was another important question in Su Ze's memorial: where would the money come from?

Without resolving this issue, this memorial is nothing but empty promises.

With so many counties across the country, even a primary school with only ten teachers represents a huge expense.

Yin Shidan asked Su Ze the crucial question: "Zilin, will the Ministry of Revenue agree?"

Su Ze then said:

"These are the reasons why I have come to see the Grand Minister of Rites."

"If the entire sum of money comes from the national treasury, the Ministry of Revenue probably won't agree."

really!

Yin Shidan was as if he had been doused with cold water, and gradually calmed down.

Su Ze continued:

“However, Grand Minister, this sum of silver should not all be paid for by the national treasury.”

"Education is a local affair, and the local academic atmosphere is also related to the performance evaluation of officials."

"It takes ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to cultivate a person. Education in one place benefits the entire region."

Yin Shidan recalled his own academic journey and nodded in deep agreement.

One way for Ming Dynasty gentry to give back to their hometowns was to return home and establish schools after retiring from official positions.

The more officials a region produces, the more preferential policies it will inevitably receive.

This has always been human nature.

Su Ze said:

"Therefore, this money should be shared and paid out by the imperial court and local government."

"My idea is for the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Revenue to take the lead in allocating a special sum of silver dollars from the national treasury."

“Localities that are willing to set up primary schools can apply for this funding.”

"The local government contributes ten parts, and the national treasury subsidizes five parts."

"In this way, we can promote the local school-running style without having to bear too much burden."

"The expenses for running schools should also be the responsibility of local education officials, and should not be misappropriated by the government."

After listening, Yin Shidan clapped his hands and said:
"Wonderful!"

Su Ze's method was indeed ingenious.

The imperial court contributed half of the funds as a subsidy for local primary schools.

This encourages local officials to run schools, but also encourages them to use funds from their own county as much as possible.

Then Yin Shidan said:
"Wouldn't regions that levy commercial taxes have a greater advantage in this case?"

Su Ze nodded slightly; now Yin Shidan understood.

Currently, only two provinces and one prefecture have voluntarily levied commercial taxes: Shanxi Province, Shandong Province, and Shuntian Prefecture.

Su Ze's attitude toward this matter was also one of not being in a hurry.

The introduction of commercial taxes requires consensus within a province.

If a consensus cannot be reached, it is uncertain whether the commercial tax can be collected at all, and forcibly pushing it through could trigger a wave of tax resistance.

When Wang Anshi implemented his reforms, local officials opposed the new laws and obstructed their implementation, turning some good laws into bad policies.

Therefore, the imperial court's attitude has always been very clear.

The benefits of levying commercial taxes will be explained to you. Whether or not each province should levy commercial taxes is up to the local officials and gentry to decide.

The matter of primary schools adds another benefit to the introduction of commercial taxes.

By levying commercial taxes, local governments can have more fiscal surplus, which will allow them to open primary schools earlier.

If Su Ze's path of primary school-preparatory school-college can really be successful, then for the sake of their own children's future, the gentry will also have to consider the issue of commercial taxes.

Yin Shidan vaguely felt that Su Ze's theory of morality based on the four classes of people was not so simple.

The idea that merchants should be virtuous by paying taxes seems to have a political logic that applies not only to merchants.

Does power derive from the obligation to pay taxes?

This seemed to lead to an even more outrageous conclusion, but Yin Shidan didn't continue thinking about it; he began to consider its feasibility.

Su Ze's plan was intricately linked and its feasibility was maximized.

Moreover, the Ministry of Revenue did not need to spend too many silver dollars, allowing some wealthy regions to conduct pilot programs.

Once the results are seen, many local officials will naturally want to establish schools in order to achieve political achievements.

The Ministry of Rites could also gradually accumulate management experience through this method.

Su Ze's next words struck a chord with Yin Shidan.

Su Ze said:

"Such a grand plan for education requires the support of important officials in the imperial court."

"Therefore, I also suggest that a Minister of Education be established in the Cabinet, similar to the Minister of Water Resources, to oversee all educational affairs of the Ming Dynasty."

At this point in Su Ze's speech, Yin Shidan no longer hesitated and said:
"Zilin, submit the memorial. The Ministry of Rites will do everything in its power to make this happen!"

(End of this chapter)