Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 257 Proclaiming Inaction
When this dog-headed vulture gets sarcastic and weird, it really gives off a punchable vibe.

While Huangfu Sengnian was also infuriating, he only said it out of the blue, whereas the dog-headed vulture spoke while shaking his head as if shouting, "Hit me! Come and hit me!"

She's truly despicable to the core.

Zhang Shuo and Yuan Qianyao wished they were his grandfathers so they could go up and slap him a couple of times.

What does it mean to have fewer soldiers die?
Is it true?
If this isn't important, then nothing is. You have to understand that the mortality and amputation rates due to wound infection on the battlefield are extremely high.

Li Longji wasn't angry, because he knew that Wang Xi wasn't targeting him.

"Don't be rude!"

At this moment, Tao Mo suddenly rebuked Wang Xi, and then hurriedly said to Li Longji, "This boy is inherently unruly, please forgive him, Your Majesty."

Li Longji had just opened his mouth when Zhang said, "If he weren't so unruly, the master wouldn't have taken him as a disciple."

"That's true."

Tao Mo nodded slightly awkwardly and said, "Everything has two sides. Although this child is mischievous by nature, it is precisely because of this that he is able to perform exceptionally well in his studies."

Li Longji smiled and nodded, saying, "I can also attest to this. Since you took Que'er as your disciple, he has indeed performed exceptionally well in many aspects."

Yuan Qianyao asked curiously, "What does being mischievous have to do with academic excellence?"

This is exactly the opposite of the current traditional education philosophy.

"There is indeed some connection."

Tao Mo nodded. "It's mainly related to Taoist teachings. Generally, very obedient children follow what their teachers teach, but what children learn requires bold imagination. They can't be confined to books or what their teachers teach, or even to the rules."

This is why children often grasp the principles of Qi (vital energy) much faster than adults.

Zhang nodded slightly.

He felt this deeply.

Moreover, what Tao Mo said actually has some roots in Taoism. The main representative is the hermit. Many people in the Taoist school are willing to be hermits and do not want to enter officialdom. In fact, they do not want to be bound by these worldly etiquettes.

Zhang also knew many hermits, who were quite free-spirited. However, applying this to Wang Xi felt somewhat incongruous.

Tao Mo then said to Li Longji, "Your Majesty, I have heard about the matter of Que'er and the others going to the Ministry of Works for exchanges last time."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Longji hurriedly asked, "I have always wanted to know your opinion on this matter."

Zhang Shuo and Yuan Qianyao also looked at Tao Mo.

I wanted to talk to him last time, but he avoided me. The main issue is that Tao Mo hasn't shown up to explain his thoughts.

Tao Mo shook his head and said, "Actually, I don't agree with it, and I still do. Especially since the Ministry of Works is sending officials to our courtyard to learn. In my opinion, this is putting the cart before the horse and is absolutely unacceptable."

Li Longji's expression changed slightly, and he asked, "Why?"

Tao Mo immediately said, "Such knowledge cannot be accomplished overnight, and it is full of chance. Take the smallpox vaccine for example; if I hadn't seen it that day, it might not have been discovered."

The Ministry of Works was in charge of the construction and management of waterways throughout the country, which was closely related to the nation and its people.

The key is in management, not in this kind of knowledge.

Officials should study Confucianism and Legalism, and learn how to govern, not these kinds of academic disciplines. Such disciplines should be left to the people to explore, and if results are found, they can be submitted to the court, where officials can simply use them.

Instead of requiring people to explore on their own, this is putting the cart before the horse.

Zhang Shuo and Yuan Qianyao exchanged a glance and both nodded with smiles.

The way he looked at Tao Mo also revealed a hint of respect.

This old man has some vision; he's not one of those vain people. He's a scholar, and even his student... sigh.

Li Longji's eyes flickered a few times as he glanced at Wang Xi, then smiled and said, "What you think, sir, is exactly the same as what Prime Minister Zhang worried about back then!"

"How dare! How dare!"

Tao Mo humbly cupped his hands in greeting.

Li Longji then asked, "But if the officials don't learn, then who should learn?"

Tao Mo said, "Those who are interested in this can learn it. In fact, if those who are interested in an official career were to learn it, they would not succeed, because this kind of knowledge often does not yield results and is of little help to their career. It would just be a waste of time."

Zhang Shuo stroked his beard and suddenly said, "Your Majesty, I have a suggestion."

Li Longji immediately asked, "What suggestions do you have, my lord?"

Zhang said, "The imperial court can provide some support to the Nameless Academy!"

Before he could finish speaking, Tao Mo hurriedly said, "No!"

"Oh! Sir, please let me finish."

Zhang raised his hand and continued, "This support is nothing; the key is that it represents the court's recognition of this field of study."

Tao Mo smiled with a hint of gratitude.

Li Longji hesitated for a moment, then asked Tao Mo, "If you have no objections, sir, why not follow what Minister Zhang has said?"

Tao Mo hurriedly replied, "I am unworthy and dare not accept such a generous treatment."

Li Longji smiled and said, "Then it's settled."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you, Minister Zhang."

Tao Mo cupped his hands in greeting and said, "However, this money is waived. I hope that the students can earn their tuition fees on their own. The court only needs to provide us with some research materials."

Li Longji generously replied, "If you have any needs, sir, just inform Que'er, and I will instruct my subordinates to do their best to meet your requirements."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Zhang Shuo and Yuan Qianyao had no objection to this.

Although Zhang's opinion of Tao Mo had changed slightly, he still felt that this nameless man was sensible, knew his place, and was a scholar.

This also shows that he didn't value these kinds of studies that much.

This kind of knowledge has always existed; it didn't just suddenly appear. Some officials have studied this knowledge, and Sun Simiao is a representative of that. However, Sun Simiao never became prime minister. The main focus was on Confucianism and Legalism. Zhang Yue, of course, belonged to the traditional school, and he firmly believed that Confucianism was the highest form of knowledge.

But even so, this nameless academy kept improving ships and curing smallpox.

The facts are there, and these research results are indeed useful. He couldn't just lie through his teeth. He even worried that if things continued like this, the emperor would actually make officials study these subjects.

This is actually unacceptable to him.

Tao Mo's words resonated with him. In fact, it was always the common people who were exploring these subjects. If officials were interested, they could also study them. There was no need to change the overall cultural foundation of the court. He thought he could just give them some money and recognition and be done with it, instead of always doing this.

In any case, people have always studied this kind of knowledge, but it has never become mainstream.

Little did they know that this was exactly what Wang Xi wanted.

With Cui Shendao and his group entering the Ministry of Works, it proved that their initial strategy was correct and effective. As a result, this knowledge could help their fathers enter officialdom, so it was natural to monopolize it. If Li Longji were to arrange for others to learn it, it would be detrimental to the current situation.

That's why they arranged for Tao Mo to say that.

Moreover, this can also help relieve some of Tao Mo's pressure, allowing Zhang to tell them not to blame Tao Mo, but to shift some of the blame onto the students, since they are young and children speak without thinking.

On the carriage.

"Old Tao!"

Wang Xi put a hand on Tao Mo's shoulder and said, "Your performance right now is truly masterful. It's as if every word you say, even every single word, comes from the bottom of your heart. It doesn't sound like you've just memorized it."

Tao Mo curled up, secretly pleased, and said, "It's all thanks to Shao Lang's excellent teaching."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "Many things cannot be taught, which shows that you have a talent in this area."

Upon hearing this, Tao Mo's eyes lit up, and he slowly straightened his back.

This is praise from Huangfu Sengnian.

How difficult that must have been!
Huangfu Sengnian said, "But you are also easily carried away by pride. You still need to do your homework properly when you get back."

Upon hearing the word "homework," Lao Tao was immediately filled with unbearable pain again.

Wang Xi laughed and said, "Forget about the homework. There might be a big meeting in the next few days to divide students into different subjects."

Tao Mo asked in surprise, "Dividing into disciplines again?"

Wang Xi nodded and said, "Times have changed. Opera is no longer of much help to us. Qigong is the foundation of our studies. Therefore, we need to specialize in this field."

Their main ambition was to cultivate their father. The opera only enabled Wang Xi to become a favored minister of Li Longji, which he had already accomplished. The opera did not help his father much.

But science is a great help to them.

Therefore, Wang Xi decided to divide the subject into three branches: physical strength, medicine, and chemistry. Chemistry was explained as the changes in all things, and fertilizer was included under this branch.

The students of the nameless college were quite interested in these subjects, and everyone eagerly signed up.

At the same time, the imperial court also gave the final verdict on the nameless academy.

The three provinces personally issued a decree to commend the contributions of the nameless college and to guarantee that it would receive certain support.

However, Zhang said that they also emphasized internally that this was a form of folk learning, and that the imperial examinations would not involve such knowledge. They also confirmed that officials did not need to learn this knowledge, and that everything would remain unchanged.

It's basically like giving them a lowly position like a stable boy to get rid of them.

This conclusion was accepted by everyone. However, it was completely different from Li Longji's idea, because doing so would be tantamount to shutting out Taoism.

So Li Longji secretly summoned his beloved nephew to the palace.

"Uncle."

Wang Xi said with difficulty, "That's just how the teacher is. He really doesn't like what Uncle Wang did, and that's really what the teacher thinks. This kind of knowledge shouldn't be taught to officials."

Upon hearing this, Li Longji couldn't help but frown slightly.

Wang Xi immediately added, "But don't worry, Uncle, I haven't forgotten the task you entrusted to me. I have other plans."

"Oh?"

Li Longji's spirits lifted. "What are your plans?"

Wang Xi said, "It's Uncle Wang and the others."

Li Longji asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Wang Xi asked, "Uncle, do you know what Uncle Wang and the others have been busy with lately?"

Li Longji laughed and said, "Fertilizer."

"Exactly."

"Will that method really work?" Li Longji asked anxiously again.

Wang Xi said, "Uncle, you may not know this, but we have researched and developed this method. It is definitely feasible. I have also learned a Taoist method of propaganda from it, which is to spread propaganda through non-action."

Li Longji asked with slight doubt, "Declaration through inaction?"

Wang Xi nodded. "That's right! When Emperor Wu of Han promoted Confucianism as the sole state ideology and suppressed other schools of thought, he relied on power. This aligns well with Confucian thought, but it wouldn't be suitable for Taoism. It would feel awkward, and its implementation would certainly not be a matter of non-interference. Taoism emphasizes following the natural course and subtle influence."

Li Longji thought about it and felt that Wang Xi's words made a lot of sense. If he were to follow the example of Emperor Wu of Han and exclusively promote Taoism, making it the main governing ideology, the Taoist principle of non-action would create a very awkward situation in governance. In the end, it would still be based on Confucianism. In fact, this is why Li Shimin could not promote Taoism no matter what he tried, because Taoist thought was simply impossible to implement. He nodded and said, "That makes sense."

Wang Xi said, “What is meant by non-action? This book explains it all. It means doing nothing, following the way of Heaven, and thus bringing order to the world. To promote Taoist thought, we must also use Taoist methods, which is to do nothing and let Taoism take root in people’s hearts.”

Li Longji asked, "But what does this have to do with Wang Maozhong and the others?"

"It's a big deal."

Wang Xi said, "As long as Uncle Wang and his group succeed, it will definitely have an impact on all aspects, because it is fertilizer, and the impact will be huge. The bad rules will also change accordingly, and this will be subtle and gradual."

Just like paper, its emergence changed many rules.

If officials want to achieve results again, they will have to act under this rule. It may seem that nothing has changed, but in fact everything will change.

They will naturally learn Taoist thought.

Li Longji nodded as if he understood, "Then wouldn't that take a long time?"

Wang Xi said, "Logically speaking, it will take quite a while, but with your nephew here, I'll spread the word and add fuel to the fire. Uncle, don't worry. Hehe."

Li Longji laughed heartily, "Of course, your uncle believes you can do it."

An unnamed academy.

Wang Xi said, "His Majesty will definitely give strong support to Uncle Wang and the others. Now it's up to them."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "Now we have some free time."

Li Jieman leaned closer, "Shall we take a stroll around Pingkangfang?"

Wang Xi gave it a disdainful look, "With so many junior sisters around, why are you still going to Pingkang Lane?"

Li Jie snorted, "I can't compare to you. Ever since Linglong and the others became our junior sisters, I've been timid and hesitant. Unlike you, who's always hanging out with Xue Bao'er."

Wang Xi shook his head smugly and said, "You're just envious."

"Yes, I envy your thick skin." Li Jieman curled his lip.

Huangfu Sengnian said, "That's not what I meant. Have you forgotten the great humiliation we suffered last time?"

Li Jieman asked in astonishment, "When have we ever suffered such a humiliation?"

Huangfu Sengnian said, "That's Que Ge'er's aunt."

"That counts?"

"Doesn't count?"

Huangfu Sengnian frowned and looked at him.

Li Jie said nervously, "Let's just calculate it and see."

Putting aside the painting of women, he was far less petty than Huangfu Sengnian. However, when it came to women, this fat man was extremely calculating.

Wang Xi asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Huangfu Sengnian said, "I have recently investigated your aunt's business in detail. As you all know, your aunt originally ran a glass business, and glass is a favorite toy of many powerful and wealthy people."

"Through this, your aunt established connections with various powerful families, gradually gaining their trust and helping them purchase treasures from beyond the borders. At the same time, she also helped sell goods from our Central Plains, including tea, silk, ceramics, and so on."

Li Jieman said, "We know all of this."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "What I mean is that these relationships are actually very unstable. They are also in competition with each other, just like Su Qin's alliance. If we want to take revenge, the best way is to destroy your aunt's relationship with these families so that we can take advantage of the situation."

Wang Xi pondered for a moment and said, "If we're going to do that, we first need to understand the extent of my aunt's influence; otherwise, we might go too far."

"I have investigated and found out."

Huangfu Sengnian took out a piece of white cloth from his sleeve and spread it on the table.

Wang Xi leaned over, took a look, and suddenly paused, "Oh, Zhang Xiangong's wife is among them too."

Huangfu Sengnian said, "Master Zhang married a woman from the Yuan family, which is a powerful Xianbei clan. Therefore, Madam Zhang manages the Zhang family's business. You may not know this, but Master Zhang's wealth may not be less than yours."

Wang Xi asked in surprise, "Really?"

Huangfu Sengnian nodded. "Compared to Zhang Jiazhen, Zhang Shuo is not exactly honest. It's just that he has always managed these things through his wife."

Many plots of land changed hands through the Yuan family before being registered under the Zhang family's name.

Wang Xi asked in shock, "How did you know all this?"

Huangfu Sengnian said, "Guess."

Wang Xi thought for a moment, "Your father?"

Huangfu Sengnian nodded.

Huangfu Shangde maintained contact with Huangfu Sengnian.

Li Jieman asked, "But why didn't anyone complain this time?"

Huangfu Sengnian said, "It's very simple. There's no evidence. The Yuan family is very good at business and is extremely skilled in this area. At present, Zhang Shuo is very influential in the court, which is very different from Zhang Jiazhen's situation. Who would dare to offend him?"

Li Jieman looked at Wang Xi, "Brother Que, what do you plan to do?"

Wang Xi laughed and said, "It's our style to take revenge. We will definitely get our revenge. However, this involves so many families, and these families have a very good relationship with our family. We can have fun, but we have to be careful. We only want to get revenge on my aunt, not destroy this power."

Lady Zixia truly hadn't expected that they were still plotting against her. At this moment, she was still busy with the Beauty Wine matter.

She has always pursued perfection in her business dealings.

The key is that she has to manage a very large operation, so she has to perform everything perfectly and beautifully in order to gain the trust of those families.

"More than two hundred?"

Lady Zixia asked with slight surprise.

Guang Sheng said, "These are just those who have shops. In fact, there are many people in the countryside who brew their own wine."

Lady Zixia said, "If I remember correctly, during the reign of Emperor Gaozu, an order was issued that strictly prohibit the use of grain to brew wine in Guanzhong."

Guang Sheng said, "There is such a prohibition, and it hasn't been abolished yet. During the Zhenguan era, it was relatively well controlled. But after the Empress Dowager came to power, everyone's lives became very extravagant, and the number of people who loved wine increased, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the prohibition. Unless...!"

Lady Zixia asked, "Unless what?"

Guang Sheng said, "Unless there is a natural disaster and food is scarce, the court will strictly enforce this order. I remember there were many such instances during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, but this year is clearly a bumper harvest."

Lady Zixia pondered for a while and said, "Even in a year of bumper harvest, without grain from Jiangnan, the grain from Guanzhong alone will not be enough to meet the needs of Chang'an."

Guang Sheng was startled and said, "Madam, are you planning to tamper with the river?"

Lady Zixia said, "Is it not allowed?"

Guang Sheng hurriedly said, "The risks involved are too great. Disrupting the grain supply could lead to the execution of the entire family."

Lady Zixia said, "We don't need to sabotage the grain routes. We just need to create some problems to delay the grain from reaching Chang'an, and then create some panic to force the court to investigate private brewing."

In this way, our Meiren wine can conquer the entire Guanzhong region within a year, and at the same time, all their grapes and pomegranates will have to be sold to us.

Actually, this is also beneficial to the country. Less grain is used for brewing, which means less grain needs to be transported, reducing local government expenditures and lightening the burden on the people.

P.S.: The weather's changing, and my rhinitis has flared up again. Only one update today.

(End of this chapter)