People in the early Tang Dynasty: I compete with Wu Zhao for the throne

Chapter 1799: Forming a clique is never a problem, but pursuing personal interests is

Li Xuan stood in the study room, looking at the elite students from Jiangnan. He nodded slightly and said, "Literature is passed down from generation to generation, enlightening the people and benefiting the common people. The reason why I set up Yangzhou Academy is that Yangzhou gathers the essence of Jiangnan. While the literary style is gathering, it can also affect the surrounding areas."

In the study, for the next ten years, all the outstanding students in Jiangnan will listen carefully to every word of Li Xuan.

Because of today’s class, when they go out, they can also say to others that they are half-disciples of the emperor.

"There are countless people in Jiangnan, but the flourishing literary style in Jiangnan is only in a few places. In many places, the people are still ignorant and chaotic, and their minds are not open. They can only allow themselves to be manipulated and oppressed by clerks. This is what I don't want to see." Li Xuan's expression became cold and he looked behind him.

The provincial governors standing there were immediately horrified.

The emperor's words were a naked accusation against them.

The literary style in Jiangnan is indeed flourishing, but the truly good places are only in Yangzhou, Suzhou and Hangzhou. The literary style is not as good in other places such as Muzhou, Guzhou and Taizhou.

Confucius said that there is no distinction in teaching.

If the officials and literati in Jiangnan cannot do this, then there is no need to talk about the flourishing literary style.

Li Xuan knew very well that the more prosperous the literary style was, the more serious the class stratification was.

Li Xuan put his thoughts aside, looked at the students and said, "What I hope is that you can be patient and go to the local towns to be teachers before going to Chang'an for the imperial examination. Only when you start teaching, you will understand the difficulties of life, and you will be more confident in the future imperial examination in Chang'an."

"Students obey your orders." The students bowed solemnly and kept Li Xuan's words firmly in their hearts.

In a sense, this can be considered an imperial decree.

……

At dusk, Lu Yanyuan, a doctor from Yangzhou Academy, returned home somewhat tired.

Then, He Zhizhang, dressed in a scarlet robe, was seen standing in the main hall.

Seeing He Zhizhang, Lu Yanyuan asked in surprise: "Ji Zhen, didn't you go to Hangzhou?"

"No, I just packed up a little, so I was a little slow. I came to visit my uncle and will leave tonight." He Zhizhang bowed seriously to Lu Yanyuan.

Lu Yanyuan was the son of Lu Jianzhi, a former doctor, the Prince's Counselor, and the Prince's Chongwen Academy Scholar.

Of course, the prince here is Li Chengqian.

Lu Jianzhi was once Li Chengqian's teacher. It was also because of this that although Lu Yanyuan inherited the essence of calligraphy from his father Lu Jianzhi and his uncle Yu Shinan, it was difficult for him to become an official.

He spent his whole life wandering around the townspeople. Later, when his cousin Lu Yuanfang became prime minister, he resigned from his official position.

However, Li Xuan opened the Yangzhou Academy, and Lu Zangyong became the dean. The doctors he selected were true great scholars such as Li Shan and Lu Yanyuan.

"Please sit down." Lu Yanyuan breathed a sigh of relief, then walked to the middle hall and sat down. After the servants served tea, he looked at He Zhizhang and said with emotion: "It's only been a few years, and you have been promoted to Zhongshu Sheren. I still remember when you won the first place in the imperial examination and returned to Jiangnan, the whole of Jiangnan was celebrating for you."

He Zhizhang was the first number one scholar in the entire Jiangnan region in the Sui and Tang dynasties for hundreds of years. This not only meant that the court's restrictions on Jiangnan literati would gradually relax, but even the common people would benefit from it, and this was indeed the case.

What they didn't expect was that within a few years, Lu Yuanfang would actually sit in the position of Shangshu Zuo Pushe.

Of course, there have been prime ministers in Jiangnan before. Chu Suiliang even served as Shangshu You Pushe. It's a pity that the decision to depose Wang and establish Wu implicated the entire Chu family.

Unlike Lu Yuanfang, not only did he become the Shangshu Zuo Pushe, but his nephew He Zhizhang and his nephew Lu Xiangxian were also the top scorers in the imperial examinations.

"The nephew is also here to congratulate his uncle." He Zhizhang smiled and said, "Your Majesty is at Yangzhou Academy today. Your uncle has already been in the emperor's heart."

"The one who really pleases the emperor is Lu Zangyong, and you. Your uncle became the president of Hebei College because of you." Lu Yanyuan couldn't help but shook his head and said, "Southerners are employed in the north, and northerners are employed in the south. It would be great if your uncle could return to Jiangnan to be the president."

He Zhizhang fell silent and did not respond.

Lu Yanyuan came back to his senses immediately, and then said: "Look at me, what have you been talking about? By the way, is Xiangxian doing well in Chang'an now?"

"My cousin was transferred to the position of Supervisory Censor at the beginning of the year." He Zhizhang looked solemn, looked at Lu Yanyuan and said, "If Your Majesty values ​​someone, he will be promoted from Supervisory Censor to County Magistrate of Jing County, then to Assistant Censor, and then to Magistrate of Jing County, or Secretary of the Central Secretariat, or Secretary of the Imperial Secretariat, and then to the Secretary General, and then to the Nine Temples, and then to the Six Ministries for local training, and finally perhaps to the chance to become Prime Minister... But the most important thing is not to make mistakes."

"Your Majesty is wise." Lu Yanyuan nodded with emotion, and then said: "Your Majesty said a lot at Yangzhou Academy today, especially that all students should go to local towns to become teachers. This..."

"Your Majesty is pragmatic in his administration." He Zhizhang looked serious, looked at Lu Yanyuan, and said, "The questions in the imperial examinations every year are mostly practical. If the scholars in Jiangnan can gain some experience in the local towns, then the possibility of Jiangnan becoming a Jinshi may be higher."

"So that's it." Lu Yanyuan immediately understood.

"There are actually many scholars in Jiangnan, but most of them are concentrated in Hangzhou and Suzhou. Other places are inferior. If they can go to Muzhou, Wuzhou, Kuazhou, Taizhou and other places to teach, perhaps the cultural governance of Jiangnan will be more extensive." He Zhizhang made another special reminder.

Lu Yanyuan looked at He Zhizhang in surprise. He was very sure that He Zhizhang was not in Yangzhou College today, but what He Zhizhang said now was exactly the same as what the emperor said.

"There is one more thing." He Zhizhang looked at Lu Yanyuan solemnly and said, "Lu Zangyong will be transferred back to Chang'an in two or three years. By then, the position of the president of Yangzhou College will be vacant..."

"Southern people are used in the north, so I have no chance." Lu Yanyuan waved his hand.

"Not necessarily." He Zhizhang took a deep breath and said, "If my uncle can submit a petition and propose to move Yangzhou College out of Yangzhou City, then the next president of Yangzhou College will definitely be my uncle." Lu Yanyuan looked at He Zhizhang with horror on his face. He wanted to say something but couldn't utter a word.

He knew very well that the purpose of He Zhizhang's visit today was to convey the emperor's message.

The emperor hoped that Yangzhou College would move out of Yangzhou.

After a long time, Lu Yanyuan looked at He Zhizhang with a bitter voice and asked, "Why is this?"

"Because Your Majesty doesn't like Slender West Lake." He Zhizhang shook his head slightly and said, "Your Majesty is not unfamiliar with those brothels and mansions south of Slender West Lake... When Your Majesty first came to Yangzhou, your uncle held a reception for Your Majesty there... Then the assassination happened."

He Zhizhang spoke very cryptically, but Lu Yanyuan could imagine Li Xuan's disgust for this area.

"So when God is about to give a man a great responsibility, he must first make his mind suffer, his muscles and bones tired, his body hungry and empty, and his actions frustrated, so as to move his heart and endure his nature, and improve his ability." He Zhizhang shook his head slightly and said, "Yangzhou College should be relocated. If not, I am afraid that few of the Yangzhou scholars will be able to pass the imperial examination."

Lu Yanyuan's face suddenly changed, and finally he nodded solemnly.

He Zhizhang breathed a sigh of relief, stood up and clasped his hands, saying, "This matter is settled, Ji Zhen will head south now."

"Thank you for your hard work." Lu Yanyuan stood up and sighed. He Zhizhang came here specially today.

It was because of the relationship between Lu Yanyuan and He Zhizhang, otherwise, Lu Yanyuan would have no way of knowing this information.

Otherwise, it would be a small matter if the emperor was displeased, but it would be a big trouble if none of these young men passed the imperial examination.

"Uncle, is there anything that Ji Zhen needs to bring back..." He Zhizhang gently changed the subject.

"Yes!" Lu Yanyuan came back to his senses and said to He Zhizhang, "Wait a moment."

After saying that, Lu Yanyuan immediately turned around and went to the backyard. A moment later, he came out with a letter and a box, handed them to He Zhizhang and said, "Take these things to the Hangzhou Governor's Mansion and give them to Sima Zhang Chun. His son Zhang Xu has started studying in the past two years and needs something."

"Yes!" He Zhizhang smiled and said, "I heard that this cousin is quite spiritual, so it's a good opportunity to go and see him."

He Zhizhang had never really met Zhang Xu. The one who had more contact with Zhang Xu was Lu Xiangxian, but Zhang Xu was even younger, only ten years old.

However, He Zhizhang was very familiar with his cousin-in-law Zhang Chun.

In fact, Li Xuan was also familiar with him. After all, when they were in Hangzhou, Zhang Chun cooperated very well with Li Xuan.

……

Yangzhou Palace under the night sky.

Lanterns are hung high and candles are lit brightly.

Li Xuan gently picked up the black piece in his hand, and then put it down carefully.

As the move was made, Duan Baoxuan's face changed slightly. He then looked at Li Xuan in surprise and said, "I once played chess with Emperor Gaozong. Your Majesty's chess style is very similar to that of Emperor Gaozong."

"It was before the Longshuo era." Li Xuan sighed and said, "After the Longshuo era, Emperor Gaozong would probably find it difficult to play chess this way."

Duan Baoxuan looked at Li Xuan in surprise. What Li Xuan said was actually all right.

Before the Longshuo period, Duan Baoxuan occasionally played against Li Zhi, but he was no match for him. However, after the Longshuo period, few people played against Li Zhi. Duan Baoxuan played against him once or twice, but at that time, he clearly felt that Li Zhi's chess skills had declined a lot.

The current Li Xuan really gives people the feeling that Duan Baoxuan is facing Li Zhi in his early years.

"I was originally worried that if Your Majesty stayed in Yangzhou Academy, it might lead to the scholars in Jiangnan forming factions around the academy. Now it seems that Your Majesty has it under control!" Duan Baoxuan was amazed and looked at Li Xuan with some uncertainty.

Li Xuan smiled softly and said, "It is indeed possible. However, not only in Jiangnan, Hebei, and Longyou, but also in the ten provinces of the world, there will be such academies. Mr. Duan's concerns are justified, and I have indeed thought about it."

After a short pause, Li Xuan looked at Duan Baoxuan seriously and said, "Mr. Duan, if I recruit scholars in the future, all of them are from the academy, who do you think will be the most nervous?"

"It's a noble family." Duan Baoxuan's expression changed slightly.

"Yes, it's an aristocratic family." Li Xuan looked up with a sneer on his face and said, "Once I implement this strategy, the children of aristocratic families will have to enter the academy. In this way, the advantage of children of aristocratic families over those from poor families will not be so great. This is a good thing for the world."

"Your Majesty is wise." Duan Baoxuan sighed softly.

Li Xuan continued calmly, "Mr. Duan, you know that I have always attached great importance to practical affairs. However, practical affairs need to go deep into the local areas. If scholars go deep into the local areas, the local people will become more open-minded. In the future, there will be more scholars from poor families in the world, and the checks and balances on the aristocratic families will be stronger. As for the factions you mentioned..."

Li Xuan gently pushed the chessboard forward, and then said coldly: "The appointment of the president of Tianxia Academy is in my hands. The president is my man, so what kind of party are those scholars forming... And forming a party has never been a problem, but selfishness is!"

Duan Baoxuan nodded heavily.

Li Xuan smiled, and then said: "Mr. Duan, let's not talk about other things. I have something to ask you. If I want to transfer Mr. Duan back to Chang'an, what do you think?"

"Is there a position in the center?" Duan Baoxuan looked at Li Xuan in surprise.

(End of this chapter)