The Prosperous Era of Longwan

As the cabinet drafted Shen Shixing's memorial, the news spread like wildfire, and no one knew whether someone was deliberately pushing it secretly.

By the afternoon, the news had spread throughout the entire city.

When the office was about to be dismissed, Wang Xijue, the right vice minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Chancellor of the Chancellery in charge of the Hanlin Academy, called all the scholars in the Hanlin Academy to his duty room to discuss something.

"I think everyone has heard that the cabinet has approved the memorial submitted by the Minister Shen Shixing. This is a great thing that will benefit the country and the people, and will educate the people. It is also a great thing that has never been done in previous dynasties.

This book was first published on the Internet by 𝕥𝕨𝕜𝕒𝕟.𝕔𝕠𝕞

The textbooks for the community school were not the Four Books and Five Classics, but rather the Three Character Classic and Hundred Family Names. The Hanlin Academy compiled the "Doctrine", which was a big deal.

Once the palace approves the red hair, this matter will be put on the agenda.

The reason I invited you all here this time is to gather your wisdom and discuss how to do this.”

After Wang Xijue finished speaking, several scholars from the Hanlin Academy lowered their heads and began to think.

Their predecessors, as well as the younger generations they teach, usually start their studies with "Three Character Classic" and "Hundred Family Names", learning to recognize words and also learning etiquette.

However, according to Shen Shixing's suggestion, the "Doctrine" used in community schools should not only teach children to read, but also make them understand etiquette, explain the basic principles of the "Great Ming Code", and finally add some mathematics used by the people.

Mathematics is actually not unfamiliar to these Jinshi gentlemen.

In fact, the scholars in the Ming Dynasty were not all pedantic people who loved to write and paint. They would also read miscellaneous books in their spare time, and arithmetic was one of them.

After all, it can be used in many places in life.

Shen Shixing’s suggestion can be said to be excellent. At least after the children finish studying the "Doctrine", they can put what they have learned into practice.

Those eight-part essays they took in the imperial examinations were certainly useless.

However, it is extremely difficult to combine so many things into one book.

"I think that the Three Character Classic and Hundred Family Names should still be listed as the opening chapters of the teachings. After all, they contain traditional virtues and can help children learn to read.

Throughout the ages, this has been the main focus of children’s enlightenment, and it is also of great significance.”

"Well, I think so too, especially the Three Character Classic, which contains many wise sayings and teaches people how to behave in society. It is the best book for children's enlightenment."

Soon, several scholars began to discuss it, and all of them highly praised the "Three Character Classic".

"Three Character Classic" is a traditional Chinese enlightenment textbook. Among the ancient Chinese classics, "Three Character Classic" is one of the most easy-to-understand readings.

The Three Character Classic draws on classic materials, including literature, history, philosophy, astronomy and geography, ethics, loyalty, filial piety, chastity and righteousness of traditional Chinese culture, while its core ideas include "benevolence, righteousness, sincerity, respect and filial piety".

While reciting "Three Character Classic", you can learn common sense, traditional Chinese studies and historical stories, as well as the principles of being a human being and doing things contained in the stories.

In terms of format, each sentence consists of three words and is catchy. Because of its popular, smooth and easy to remember characteristics, it is regarded as one of the three major traditional Chinese elementary education reading materials along with "Hundred Family Surnames" and "Thousand Character Classic", collectively known as the "Three Hundred Thousand".

"Three Character Classic" is a precious cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. It is concise, catchy and has been a household name for thousands of years.

Its content covers history, astronomy, geography, morality and some folk legends. As the saying goes, "If you read the Three Character Classic carefully, you will know the events of the ages."

Although later generations considered its ideas to be outdated and its content to be difficult to understand, it is already the most superficial reading material among classic ancient Chinese texts.

As for other things like the length of the article and the discrepancy between the social values ​​of later generations, these are actually the least important.

You must know that the more you remember, the better your memory will be.

In fact, in later generations, many people lack reading and reciting abilities, most likely because they were not required to recite catchy reading materials such as the Three Character Classic when they were children, so their memory has regressed and is even worse than that of the ancients.

Therefore, due to historical reasons, although "Three Character Classic" inevitably contains some spiritual dregs and artistic flaws, its unique ideological value and cultural charm are still recognized by the world. It is regarded as a classic by Chinese people of all generations and continues to be passed down. It is even more worthy for parents to let their children read and memorize it.

"Well, the Three Character Classic is indeed a good way to learn to read. It can be included in the Doctrine."

Wang Xijue spoke up and said that he also highly praised this article and it was definitely the best book for children's enlightenment.

There are different opinions about the writing time and author of "Three Character Classic" throughout the ages. Most later scholars tend to believe that "Song Dynasty Confucian scholar Wang Bohou wrote "Three Character Classic" as a lesson in his private school." That is, in order to better educate his clan's children to read, Wang Yinglin compiled the three-character verse that integrated the classics, history, and collections of literature.

However, some people have suggested that the "Three Character Classic" might be the "Initial Recitation of Enlightenment" written by Chen Chun in the Southern Song Dynasty using three-character sentences, and that it took a considerable amount of time for the "Three Character Classic" to develop from its initial form to its final form.

In fact, many ancient books circulating in China have been revised repeatedly and may not be the original texts.

Although the content of "Three Character Classic" covers a wide range of topics, including the Four Books, Six Classics, Three Changes, Four Poems, Three Commentaries, and Five Masters, it basically includes Confucian classics and some works of pre-Qin philosophers.

From "understanding the classics and reading various histories" to "understanding the past and present as if seeing it with one's own eyes", the basic features of Chinese history are all included in it. However, "The Doctrine" also has to include "The Great Ming Code" to let children know the national laws.

Ignorance is fearless. Only by letting children know the severity of the law can we prevent them from breaking the law.

At this time, Chen Yubi, who had always been relatively low-key, suddenly said, "Lord Wang, gentlemen."

When everyone saw that it was him who was speaking, they all looked over.

Wang Xijue raised his hand and said with a smile: "Yuanzhong, today I am here to discuss matters in the Imperial Academy, just tell me whatever comes to your mind."

This Chen Yubei was a Jinshi in the second year of the Longqing reign. He was selected as a Hanlin Academy student and appointed as an editor.

In other words, he was only a seventh-rank editor in the fifth year of the Longqing reign, but in just seven years he had become a bachelor of the Hanlin Academy. His promotion speed was quite fast.

There was a reason why he was so cautious, that is, Chen Yubei was the son of Chen Yiqin. At the beginning, there were two Jinshi in the family, which was also very glorious.

However, after Chen Yiqin retired, Chen Yubei began to be cautious, even after Gao Gong resigned.

As for Chen Yubei's path to promotion, it naturally depended on the care of Wei Guangde and others. It was a bit difficult to transfer people from the Hanlin Academy to other government offices all at once, but it was still possible to take care of them a little in the Hanlin Academy.

If the provisions of the Great Ming Code were printed on the Doctrine, it would be boring and children might not be able to learn it.

It would be better to follow the example of The Illustrated Book of the Emperor and select cases from the Ministry of Justice to compile short stories with illustrations, which might have a very good effect. "

Chen Yubei's words immediately made everyone in the room explode. Shen Yikuan stood up first and said, "Yuanzhong's method is very good. Your Majesty also likes the "Imperial Mirror Illustrated Explanation" very much. If you compile a book with this method, it will definitely be very useful for children to learn."

Zhang Juzheng planned "The Illustrated Emperor's Mirror" based on his accurate understanding of children's personality traits, and this method he came up with can basically be said to be effective for all children.

Reading is not about memorizing the book, but about reading small stories with wonderful illustrations, which children will like.

Not only by reading the story, children also learn that those things are illegal. Knowing the consequences, they will naturally be afraid, and the purpose of education will be achieved.

Wang Xijue also smiled and nodded, "Yuanzhong's idea is very good. I will go to the cabinet to talk about it tomorrow, and our Hanlin Academy will prepare in advance.

When it comes to cases from the Ministry of Justice, you have to choose carefully.”

The stories in "The Illustrated Emperor's Mirror" were compiled by Zhang Juzheng from some educational stories selected from numerous historical events. They were all selected by him personally and then carefully drawn by Chinese masters in the palace.

Don’t underestimate it as it is just a book. It is a collection of the best teachers and painters in the Ming Dynasty, so its value is naturally huge.

All the doctrines and outlines of this society school were gradually improved through such discussions.

In the evening, Wei Guangde was still in the mansion when he heard a servant come to report that Chen Yubi had arrived.

Wei Guangde and Chen Yiqin had a very good relationship. Although he had returned to Nanchong, Chen Yubi was in the capital, and the two families often visited each other. Chen Yubi did not need to send a visit in advance.

"Yuanzhong, you haven't come to my place for some time."

In fact, Chen Yubei is not much younger than Wei Guangde, but because of Chen Yiqin, he still has to perform the etiquette of uncle and nephew when he sees Wei Guangde.

"Uncle Wei, I didn't disturb you from resting because I saw you were busy before, hehe."

Chen Yubi said happily.

After a round of greetings, Wei Guangde asked about Chen Yiqin's recent situation. It was impossible for him and his old friend to communicate all the time, but Chen Yubei and his father would exchange letters every now and then.

"My father is living a good life now. He enjoys the beautiful scenery and has no distractions. He has gained weight, according to his letters."

Chen Yubi said with a smile.

“Oh, this makes me so envious.

By the way, does your father really not want to serve as an official anymore?"

Wei Guangde asked seriously at this time.

In fact, Wei Guangde occasionally contacted Yin Shizeng and exchanged one or two letters a year.

However, Yin Shizeng doesn't seem to be in good health.

Although Yin Shizeng was known as the "cabinet boxer", he was angered by Gao Gong after all. He was so angry when he returned to his hometown and his health was not good.

Since he was in poor health, he naturally did not want to take up an official post, even though Gao Gong had passed away.

Chen Yiqin directly refused.

"My dad is fine the way he is now."

Chen Yubi said bitterly: "Actually, I know that he is afraid of affecting me."

Last year, Zhang Juzheng's second son, Zhang Sixiu, ranked second in the first class of the Dingchou Imperial Examination and was appointed editor of the Hanlin Academy. There were many rumors that the emperor gave this title because of Zhang Juzheng.

Moreover, it was said with certainty that in the next imperial examination, Zhang Juzheng's eldest son Zhang Jingxiu and third son Zhang Maoxiu would probably also be able to pass the exam.

Well, it’s the prediction emperor who’s speaking, and he’s definitely got it right in the end.

But for Chen Yiqin, when his son was put on the list, many people actually talked about it privately, saying that he was put on the list because of Chen Yiqin's relationship.

Wei Guangde was helpless about this.

You can't control what others say.

Yang Tinghe, the chief minister during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, had a reputation for his son Yang Shen as a "child prodigy" even in childhood. He also imitated famous scholars to write works such as "Mourning the Ancient Battlefield" and "On the Qin Dynasty", and his talent spread.

Later, Li Dongyang strongly recommended him to be his disciple, and ordered Yang Shen to imitate Zhuge Liang's "The Memorial to the Emperor on Leaving the Capital" and Fu Yi's "The Memorial to the Emperor on the Removal of Monks and Nuns". After reading them, Li Dongyang praised their charm as "no less than that of Tang and Song poets."

But even so, when Yang Shen won the top spot in the imperial examination in the 16th year of Zhengde, there were still people saying that it was because Yang Tinghe and a group of examiners were biased towards him.

Perhaps because of this incident, Yan Song's son Yan Shifan simply did not take the imperial examination. He just submitted his works and then entered the court as an official as a student.

Anyway, people will talk behind my back if I take the imperial examination, so I just don't pretend.

Wei Guangde only wanted to ensure that his child passed the imperial examination and did not force anything else, which was somewhat related to this.

If Chen Yiqin returns to the court, even if the child has made contributions, it will be difficult for Wei Guangde and others to promote him because he will block the child's way.

Therefore, Chen Yiqin never considered coming back.

Anyway, Zhang Juzheng and Wei Guangde are in the capital. Based on their friendship, neither of them will make things difficult for a child and will take good care of him.

After a while of chatting, Chen Yubei told what happened in the Hanlin Academy today.

"Haha, it's just books, it's not a big deal. Uncle won't say anything, and the palace won't say anything either."

Wei Guangde smiled.

“It was I who suggested adding illustrations to the Illustrated Book of the Emperor and making the story easy to understand.”

Wei Guangde said indifferently.

"In this case, my nephew won't worry anymore."

Chen Yubi's suggestion was actually made out of fear that Zhang Juzheng and the inner court would have some ideas.

"Haha, actually you don't have to worry at all. I was reading those story books when I first heard about this, and they all had illustrations."

Wei Guangde smiled indifferently.

Although the novels and storybooks of the Ming Dynasty did not have the "little man books" of later generations, each chapter of the novel generally had illustrations, but the quality varied.

There are quite a lot of novels and stories from the Ming Dynasty, but only a small part of them have been passed down to later generations. After all, most of the novels seem to be banned in later generations.

Yes, "Jin Ping Mei" and "The Carnal Prayer Mat" are actually not the only copies in the Ming Dynasty. There are a lot of similar popular novels on the market, and many frustrated scholars like to write and read these books.

Wei Guangde also saw it, perhaps it was a common problem among men.

From this we can see that the literacy rate in the Ming Dynasty was actually quite high, far exceeding that of the Qing Dynasty.

Just when Wei Guangde was promoting "compulsory education" in the Ming Dynasty, the Strait of Juan de Fuca also welcomed an unexpected visitor, the British sailing ship "Golden Hind".

Because he was unfamiliar with the west coast of America, Drake sailed north along the coastline and unknowingly crossed the equator and entered the sea west of the US-Canada border in later generations, that is, Peanut State, Seattle and Vancouver.

"Captain, do you want to continue going north? It seems that there is no way out."

The crew member whispered.

After being out for so long, Drake is now somewhat hesitant about whether to go back or cross the treacherous Pacific Ocean. (End of this chapter)