The rebellious grandson of Emperor Zhenguan of the Tang Dynasty: Please, Your Majesty, be called Cro

The Imperial Academy of the Tang Dynasty was located on the western half of Wuben Ward in the outer city of Chang'an, occupying half of the ward area. It was magnificent and strictly regulated.

To its east lies the bustling Pingkang Ward, and to its south, the scholarly Chongyi Ward. On one side, the vibrant life of the marketplace; on the other, the scholarly atmosphere. Just like the inclusive spirit of the Tang Dynasty, it truly deserves to be called the hub of education and culture, and a sacred place in the hearts of students.

The vermilion wooden door of the Imperial Academy's office creaked softly as Kong Zhixuan, the Director of Studies, dressed in a blue official robe, slowly pushed it open, as if afraid of disturbing those inside.

Behind the desk, Kong Yingda, the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, was bent over writing furiously. His silver beard and hair fell to his shoulders, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were etched with the weight of years and the accumulation of knowledge. The brush in his hand moved swiftly across the hemp paper, and the fragrance of ink wafted through the air, filling the entire hall.

Kong Zhixuan slowed his pace, approached the table, bowed, and said softly:

"Father, the newly appointed students who passed the imperial examinations are already lined up outside the prison office, having come to express their gratitude to the Chancellor and the teachers inside."

"Understood." Kong Yingda didn't look up, but simply licked the inkstone with the brush in his hand. The handsome young servant beside him saw that the ink in the inkstone had faded, so he quickly picked up an ink stick and continued grinding.

"Father...you should rest for now." Kong Zhixuan knew that his father, Kong Yingda, was revising and editing the "Correct Meaning of the Five Classics," a book that his father had painstakingly compiled under the Emperor's orders.

"Since returning from Furong Garden that day..."

These days, my father has been living and eating in the prison. His temples have turned whiter, and the bloodshot eyes have become more pronounced. He has exhausted all his energy for this book.

The three words "Furong Garden" seemed to touch a sore spot for Kong Yingda. He slowly put down his brush, placed it on the brush holder, raised his hand to stroke the beard on his chest, his fingertips slightly white from holding the brush for so long.

His son brought up that deep-seated grudge again, his voice low and filled with suppressed anger and resentment: "Rest? How can an old man rest?"

"You scoundrel! ... I am already seventy years old, yet I have encountered this great calamity, and my reputation is completely ruined!"

"If I don't work hard, His Majesty might think I'm useless and punish me."

"How dare this old man rest?"

"Your Majesty is wise. By entrusting Father with the compilation of the 'Correct Meanings of the Five Classics,' you have shown your trust in Father and will not easily punish him. If Father were to suffer punishment, who could unify the division of classical studies between the North and South?"

"Even for the sake of the 'Correct Meaning of the Five Classics,' Your Majesty will preserve Father's reputation."

"Besides, it's just some idiot spouting nonsense. Only fools in the marketplace would think that Father is trying to gain fame and reputation by selling his integrity... Why should Father take it to heart?" Kong Zhixuan said dismissively.

Upon hearing the jarring phrase "selling straight names," Kong Yingda's cheeks twitched uncontrollably... This phrase had once again touched a raw nerve, and it had even reached his son's ears.

This shows just how badly that brat has tarnished Kong Yingda's reputation...

However, Zhi Xuan was not wrong. With the "Correct Meanings of the Five Classics" in hand, even His Majesty would have to find ways to protect Kong Yingda's reputation.

Since the southward migration of scholars and intellectuals, Confucian classics have been divided into different schools, branching into northern and southern branches, resulting in numerous commentaries. For hundreds of years, these schools have existed, constantly vying for influence and engaging in mutual attacks.

Once the Tang Dynasty unified the country, if it continued to allow Confucian scholars in different regions to hold different views, resulting in varying local customs, etiquette, and traditions, the imperial court would be unable to educate the people and unite their hearts.

Kong Yingda was commissioned to compile the "Correct Interpretations of the Five Classics," which aimed to reconcile the interpretations from both the North and South, eliminate superfluous details, and select from various schools of thought, integrating, resolving, and unifying the chaotic commentaries of past dynasties. This would ensure that each classic would henceforth have only one official interpretation, prohibiting further conflicting interpretations and the establishment of heterodox doctrines.

From then on, national etiquette, the inheritance of aristocratic families, and the selection of officials through the imperial examinations were all determined by this book, "The Correct Meaning of the Five Classics."

As the compiler of the Five Classics, Kong Yingda was destined to take the lead in Tang Dynasty Confucianism and was destined to be the leading figure appointed by His Majesty to represent the court and lead Confucian scholars.

As long as Confucianism exists, and as long as the imperial court needs to rely on Confucianism and this book, "The Correct Meaning of the Five Classics," to appease people and govern the country.

He, Kong Yingda, must be a Confucian sage and a morally perfect person!

With the "Correct Meaning of the Five Classics," Kong Yingda was bound to the Confucianism of the Tang Dynasty and to the Sage Confucius!

As long as the imperial court promotes the "Correct Meaning of the Five Classics", then it can be said that all Confucian scholars after the Tang Dynasty will be his disciples, Kong Yingda!

As long as the court promotes the "Correct Meaning of the Five Classics," even His Majesty must protect his reputation!

"The Correct Meaning of the Five Classics" was Kong Yingda's last trump card, a magic weapon that he could use to turn the tide in an instant.

His Majesty surely knows which is more important: a prince who has already been deposed, or the one who unites and wins the hearts of all Confucian scholars in the land. As long as he completes the Five Classics with a clear understanding as soon as possible, His Majesty will surely intervene to protect Kong Yingda's reputation.

At that time, he will have no worries about his future or disgrace.

The deposed Crown Prince Li Chengqian, and that rebellious and immoral grandson of the emperor, will be completely unable to recover from the condemnation of scholars across the land.

Thinking of this, a hint of pleasure finally showed on Kong Yingda's seemingly righteous face.

"Even if Father values ​​the Five Classics and their righteousness, it cannot be decided in a short time."

Kong Zhixuan continued to persuade Kong Yingda.

"The newly appointed students have been waiting for a long time. These are all your students, Father, so it is not appropriate to neglect them."

"Furthermore, the future promotion of the 'Correct Meaning of the Five Classics' will also require the guidance of these former students and friends of the Imperial Academy."

"You must know that these three thousand students of the Imperial Academy are the foundation upon which you, Father, stand."

The Imperial Academy (Guozijian) separated from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices (Taichangsi) during the Zhenguan era and became the highest institution of learning and educational administration in the country. It oversaw the Imperial Academy (Guozixue), the Imperial College (Taixue), the Four Gates Academy (Simenxue), the Law Academy (Lüxue), the Calligraphy Academy (Shuxue), and the Mathematics Academy (Suanxue), collectively known as the "Six Academies".

These six schools were not categorized like universities in later times, but rather students were divided into different classes based on their social status.

Among them, the Imperial Academy mainly taught the sons and grandsons of officials of the third rank and above; the Imperial College mainly taught the sons and grandsons of officials of the fourth and fifth ranks; the Four Gates Academy mainly taught the sons and grandsons of officials of the sixth and seventh ranks and outstanding commoners; and the Law Academy, Calligraphy Academy, and Mathematics Academy mainly taught the sons and grandsons of officials of the eighth and ninth ranks and commoners who were familiar with laws and regulations.

These students of the Imperial Academy encompassed almost the entire bureaucracy and aristocratic families of the Tang Dynasty. Since they studied at the Imperial Academy, they were all also his students, Kong Yingda's protégés.

Under the contemporary moral standard of respecting teachers and valuing the Way, these people were also Kong Yingda's network of relationships and his source of confidence.

Kong Yingda has not been punished by the emperor to this day, and the emperor's concern about the impact on the students of the Imperial Academy is certainly an extremely important reason.

"In that case, let's meet."

Kong Yingda slowly stood up, raised his hand to straighten the hem of his purple official robe, which was bound with a jade belt. Although he was over seventy years old, he had the demeanor of someone who was now in charge of the Confucian school.

It was as if the old man who had just been full of resentment and scheming to turn the tables was just an illusion to others.

"Bring them in. I will personally instruct them, teaching them to understand the classics and etiquette, to comprehend the ways of the sages, and to recognize the proper relationship between ruler and subject."

"When they stand in the court one day, they must remember that what they have learned and what they respect today all came from my hands and all followed the rules of the *Five Classics: Correct Meanings*!"