Early Tang Dynasty: forge ahead

Chapter 162: Upgraded to three levels in a row in half a year

"Teacher Says"!
Looking at the name, Linghu Defen felt his eyes light up. Just by looking at the title of this article, he knew that the theme was about education.

What Linghu Defen admired most about Chen Qingsi was his emphasis on education. Whether it was the county school in Qingxi County, the Three Character Classic, or the rectification of the Imperial College, all centered on education. This was also the case, and he was able to delegate power with confidence.

Linghu Defen looked at the text in his hand with an appreciative attitude.

But after seeing the first paragraph, Linghu Defen's old, cloudy, half-open eyes widened, his lips trembled slightly, and his sparse beard trembled.

Chen Qingsi could understand Linghu Defen's mood at this moment.

Chinese culture has been passed down for thousands of years, and pre-Qin prose ranks first.

However, ancient prose has a characteristic, which mainly appears in the form of history books, classics, classics, etc., such as "Zuo Zhuan", "Guoyu", "Warring States Policy", "The Analects of Confucius", etc. It is mainly narrative and focuses on the authenticity and objectivity of historical events.

With development, in the Han Dynasty, prose became independent, such as "Collection of Emperor Han Wen" and "Shishuo Xinyu", etc., which began to pay attention to literary artistry and reflect social style and life with the power of words.

The subject matter of this kind of narrative writing is relatively narrow, focusing mainly on chronicling events and recording historical events to warn future generations. It can even be regarded as a history book.

"Shi Shuo" is a completely different prose style, focusing on reasoning.

This kind of argumentative essay is the most difficult to write. It requires strong writing power. It must not only be convincing, but also be concise and comprehensive, explain the profound things in a simple way, and make people want to read on.

Otherwise, if you talk a lot, others will not understand, or it will be boring, but it will be in vain.

As the head of the Eight Great Masters of Tang and Song Dynasties, Han Yu is known as the "Grand Master of Literature" and the "Lin Zong of a Hundred Generations". In terms of his personal level and achievements in ancient prose, throughout history, there is no one better than him.

"The Master's Statement" is one of Han Yu's best works.

If the "Three Character Classic" is the king of Mongolian studies, then the "Shi Shuo" is the king of the whole of Shilin.

Appreciation?

Linghu Defen, an old scholar, felt ashamed that he could read such a magnificent article with an appreciative attitude. It embarrassed me too...

Without saying anything, Linghu Defen sat upright, even straightened his clothes, held the article in his hands, and read it again.

Chen Qingsi didn't speak, just watched.

I don't know how many times I read it before Linghu Defen sighed: "As soon as Mr. Chen's "Teacher's Talk" comes out, who dares to say that you are not worthy of being a teacher?"

A "Teacher's Statement" directly caused Linghu Defen to change his title.

The reform of the Imperial College was supported by Li Zhi and Linghu Defen, but there were also many old diehards who opposed it, accusing him of being a teacher at a young age.

The reason why Chen Qingsi chose "Shi Shuo" was also to fight back.

Chen Qingsi said hurriedly: "I don't dare!"

Linghu Defen said seriously: "As soon as this magnificent article comes out, who among the scholars in the world dares not to call him sir?"

Recommended by Linghu Defen, the most famous Confucian scholar in the world, the article "Shi Shuo" caused a thunderous explosion in the sky over the capital.

Compared with poetry, prose has a higher status.

Especially reasoning texts like "The Master's Theory" which have both literary value and ideological value.

Chen Qingsi, who had been silent at first, rushed to the forefront of the storm again.

This time it was higher and more powerful.

Chen Qingsi did not choose to keep a low profile and actively called on students from all over the world to study, regardless of the common people.

The article "Teacher's Theory" reached the palace when the response was the most enthusiastic.

Li Zhi read the "Shi Shuo" in his hand word for word, his eyes shining with brilliance. "Your Majesty, Mr. Xu would like to see you."

"Xuan!"

Li Zhi looked at Xu Jingzong's strong and healthy figure and was a little envious that a 65-year-old man could be so strong and healthy. Although he was in the prime of life, he couldn't stand the humidity and heat of Taiji Palace.

"sit!"

Li Zhi pointed to the mat beside him, and after Xu Jingzong sat down, he said: "Xu Aiqing is one of the eighteen scholars of my father's past, and he is also a leader of Confucianism. What do you think of this "Master's Statement"?"

Xu Jingzong said: "The wonderful thing is that from the Wei and Jin dynasties onwards, it is beneficial for people not to become teachers. This article by Chen Jianzheng discusses the way of teachers. No matter whether you are high or low, old or young, you can be a teacher. Where the way exists, there is a place for teachers. This article It is even comparable to Xunzi's "Encouragement to Learning."

As soon as this "Master's Theory" came out, Xu Jingzong was shocked for a long time. He was glad that he did not look down on this young man Chen Qingsi.

Li Zhi also understood "Shi Shuo" and knew that this article was excellent, but he did not understand it as thoroughly as a famous scholar like Xu Jingzong.

"How was the response?"

There was a hint of joy in Li Zhi's tone.

Xu Jingzong said truthfully: "It is even more expensive than in the past in Luoyang. That is to say, His Majesty is virtuous, the people are happy, and there is no price gouging by traders in Chang'an."

Even if he praised Chen Qingsi, he would not forget to flatter her.

Li Zhi nodded and said, "Okay, that's great."

When he succeeded to the throne, he knew that he had two formidable opponents: the nobles of Guanxi, headed by Changsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang, and the gentry headed by the five surnames of Guandong.

Now Changsun Wuji is already a turtle in a urn, and his life and death depend on his nod.

Next, Li Zhi plans to focus on the Guandong nobles.

The higher the reputation of Chen Qingsi, a talented man from the common people, among the scholars, the more beneficial it would be to his plan.

Li Zhi's initial plan was to wait until next year to see how the imperial examination went before making a decision.

It's just that Chen Qingsi's development speed exceeded his expectations. First, it was the reform of the imperial examination, and now it is "Shi Shuo" that established his status as a great Confucian.

Many times it is not people who decide things, but when it reaches a certain point, the situation will push people forward and changes will have to be made.

Chen Qingsi was like this, and Liu Rengui's crisis forced him to take the initiative.

The same is true for Li Zhi now, and he is pushed by this trend to follow suit.

Of course, as the emperor, Li Zhi could suppress Chen Qingsi's push, but this was not Li Zhi's wish.

As a British ruler, Li Zhi wanted to become a great king like his father.

In the face of opportunities, there is no reason to shrink back.

"Draw up a decree for me. I like "Teacher's Theory" very much. Those who are masters are teachers, and it is very good. Even the sage Confucius was not ashamed to ask, let alone us laymen? This article can be expressed to the world, so that all scholars in the world will know, The disciple does not have to be inferior to the teacher, and the teacher does not have to be better than the disciple. There is a priority in learning the Tao, and there is a specialization in the art, that's all."

Xu Jingzong drafted edicts for Li Zhi many times, and his writing won Li Zhi's heart, so he agreed without hesitation.

"in addition……"

Li Zhi thought for a while and said: "In addition, we will add the Imperial College Supervisor, the Ministry of Civil Affairs Yuan Wailang, and the direct bachelor of Hongwen Hall Chen Qingsi as the consenting ministers."

Cheng Yilang had no real power and was a literary official, but his rank was one step higher than that of the Imperial Academy, which was considered a promotion.

In less than half a year, Chen Qingsi was first promoted from the county magistrate of Xia County to the Imperial College Supervisor and the direct bachelor of Hongwen Hall, and then to the Ministry of Civil Affairs Yuan Wai Lang in charge of the imperial examination. Now he was awarded the title of Cheng Yi Lang again, successfully achieving the triple jump.

(End of this chapter)