Ji Tang

Zheng, as the head of the family, Zheng Qian retired last year. As the head of one of the largest aristocratic families in the Tang Dynasty, not only did he not hinder the government affairs in these years, he was conscientious in his position and never made any mistakes.

Therefore, after he begged for his bones, as the new emperor, Li Chengqian gave him great courtesy, which could be regarded as establishing the friendship between the emperor and his ministers for the Supreme Emperor.

In the ancestral home of the Zheng family in Xingyang, Zheng Qian rarely went out since he returned to his hometown. He did not interact with many family friends, but sent his eldest son to receive him.

In addition, he spent huge sums of money to build schools and industries in his hometown, and sold a lot of fertile land at market prices, leaving only the ancestral land and enough for the clan's use.

For this reason, in just one year, an academy was built in Yingchuan that could accommodate thousands of people. Regardless of whether they were dignitaries or ordinary people, as long as they passed the examination, they would all be admitted to the academy and taught seriously.

Even he often went to the academy to give lectures, and he did not talk about the classics of sages, but the way of studying things.

It's not that he doesn't want to, but the way to study things is the way to be truly strong. As the reputation of the Royal Academy spread far and wide, and the academy students came out of the academy one after another and entered all aspects of the Tang Dynasty, the study of studying things also entered thousands of households, and even most aristocratic families would invite academy students to come. Give lectures to the children of the clan at home.

In his opinion, Ji Song was smart. He gave up his status as a Taoist sect and placed the way of studying things under Confucianism, only to gain the reputation of a sect.

In the eyes of others, it is like winning sesame seeds and losing watermelon.

But people who understand clearly sneer at this. Otherwise, the way of studying things will inevitably be suppressed by Confucianism at the moment it appears. This has nothing to do with anything else, but a dispute over orthodoxy.

The phrase "investigating things to gain knowledge" opened another period of prosperity for Confucianism and Taoism after the great prosperity of the study of classics. It injected new blood into the increasingly restricted Confucianism, thus exuding new and powerful vitality.

Whether it is the Qufu Kong family, the Yan family, or the Xun family, they are all happy to see this matter come to fruition, and even contribute to it behind their backs. The major Confucian schools from all over the world even joined the Royal Academy to protect it.

Confucianism has never been static. Dong Zhongshu's theory of "response between heaven and man" borrowed ideas from Taoism and Mohism, and changed traditional Confucianism beyond recognition. I am afraid that even if Confucius was resurrected, he would not recognize it.

But it is undeniable that Dong Zhongshu succeeded. Emperor Wu dismissed hundreds of schools of thought and respected Confucianism alone, completely establishing the status of Confucianism. Since then, the interpretation of Confucianism has been constantly updated and new content added.

Ji Song is extremely smart and insidious. He will use "University" as an introduction, and Xunzi's thoughts as a guide, adding Mohist, Taoist, and peasant ideas to make a stew that looks delicious and is extremely filling. Belly delicious food.

Although the Supreme Emperor did not expressly support him at that time, he opened the door of convenience and protected him openly and secretly!

Ji Song can also be regarded as a rare genius in a century, and he has continuously made shocking achievements. Whether it is literary, Taoist or military strategy, he has shocked the world. This has once again sublimated the way of investigating things into a prominent scholar in the world.

Taibai Royal Academy has been in existence for more than 20 years, and there are at least 50,000 or 60,000 students who have graduated. These people have all systematically studied the way of studying things. In addition, the two princes and princes of the royal family, who have extremely high status, have great experience in the way of studying things. The great achievements have made this path take off again.

The way of investigating things is all-encompassing, and it is different from the Confucian classics and meanings, as well as the empty and grand avenue. The way of investigating things starts from a small point, starting from a drop of water, weather, geology, and everything else, from shallow to deep, from nothing to something, step by step to explain things that the predecessors cannot explain.

The formation of ice, the formation of rain, the formation of earthquakes, why rainbows appear, etc.

Based on facts, guided by practical data and strict logic, to prove the existence of something. These are all tangible and visible.

Since then, steel production has increased year by year, the quality has gotten better and better, and various difficult and complicated problems have been solved. Grain production was also increasing, and the use of various new tools gave Datang wings and began to take off.

The more you get in touch with Ji Song, the more you feel his charm. It is the calm and calm An Ran who is not moved by external things, the determination to stick to one's heart in the face of temptation, and the heart-breaking heart!

In addition, the Ji family and the Zheng family were from the same clan and ancestors, so he completely changed his strategy, contacted the Runan Zhou family, and completely turned to the Ji family.

For this reason, he was even called a traitor to the Five Surnames and Qi Wangs, and was suppressed by them for a long time. Even the clan members were dissatisfied with his decision, but he didn't care!

Before Ji Song appeared, he might have been like those people, doing things that went against his true intentions just to make a small profit. But no need now, Ji family, Zheng family, Zhou family, Jiangdong family, and Xungui group, with these people, other families dare to fart?

Facts have proved that his decision was correct. The political alliance allowed him to be at ease in the court, and the economic alliance allowed Zheng to receive support from Ji in many fields.

Not to mention the overseas territories, while other aristocratic families were still working on the sea map, he had already set out to occupy the territory on the sea ship sold to him by the Ji family. Up to now, the Zheng family's overseas territory has become one of the largest territories in the Tang Dynasty.

It's not that he doesn't want to occupy a larger territory. After all, there is too much overseas land to occupy. Moreover, the court has regulations that even if you occupy land that has not been actually managed and developed, the court will not recognize it and will even charge heavy taxes if it is discovered.

In addition, Ji Song once told him that it is completely unnecessary to occupy too much territory at this stage. It is a castle in the air that will become ruins when encountering a storm.

You can eat as much as you have the ability to do, and it won't be too late to take advantage of it when you are stronger.

Therefore, the first thing the Zheng family occupied after going to sea was a bay now located on the north shore of the strait. If nothing else, the annual port tax was lenient.

Other aristocratic families often scolded him behind his back for eating alone, but what could they do?

The land in the Central Plains is no longer very important to the Zheng family. There are countless fertile lands waiting to be developed in the territory. As long as there are people, there is no need to worry about the land.

Moreover, there are Zheng's private soldiers in the territory. Although the number is not large, with the accumulation of many resources, their combat power is still good, enough to protect the Zheng's interests.

What's more, as long as the Zheng family doesn't rebel, no one will attack his territory without the foresight. Do you really think that this is all the Zheng family has?

Therefore, a large amount of land in the Central Plains is for sale. Not only the Zheng family, Pei family, Lu family, Wang family and other aristocratic families are selling land because they can no longer take care of it.

Instead of fighting with the imperial court for this bit of land in the Central Plains, it would be better to develop the land in the territory, which is all owned by the family.

In addition, a large number of people dependent on the family have moved overseas, and the court has also moved countless landless people to other places. Who is still willing to farm land for the family? Isn’t it nice to be the master of one’s own affairs?

Nowadays, as long as you go to the border areas, who doesn’t have countless fertile fields? Who cares about the family stuff?

As a result, the aristocratic families found that the people they wanted to farm for them were gone, but the land was still there. Without planting, it would only be abandoned. But the court is watching. It's okay in the first year, but if it's still useless in the second year, then just wait to be impeached!

The aristocratic family cares about face the most. If it is spread that the aristocratic family is occupying the latrine and not taking a shit, will they be sprayed to death by everyone in the world?

Now, they finally understand the evil intentions of the imperial court. This is simply draining the firepower.

First, let them go to sea, and after they taste the benefits, they continue to transfer the population outside. You must know that population is the lifeblood of the imperial court. Who dares to do anything about it? Do you really think that Li Shimin did not dare to kill people back then?

But the imperial court didn't notice it. Not only did it not stop it, it even pretended not to see it. How happy I was then, how frustrating I am now. People have been transferred out, but I can no longer recruit anyone.

If it had been a few years earlier, they would have had many ways to let people farm land for them, and the aristocratic family's means were not limited to these. But they didn't dare. At this time, the imperial court began to strictly check the population, and even began to fabricate Huang Ce to register the number of people.

From now on, every common person has his or her own household registration. Can’t they survive? Okay, then go to the border areas. There are as many fields as you want there. As long as you can plant them, it doesn’t matter how much you want. There are many children at home and not enough land? Look, the government will immediately send someone to your door to introduce you to the immigration policies of various places for you to choose from. Want to starve to death? Drink too much! The poor people in the Tang Dynasty are now left with food. If the court finds out that some of the people under its rule are starving to death, then you are the boss of this official. Even the prisoners are served three meals a day, let alone the ordinary people. That’s the imperial court’s treasure!

It can be said that the emergence of the study of objects changed all aspects of the Tang Dynasty, and the Zheng family also took advantage of this east wind and skyrocketed.

Just when Zheng Qian was distracted, he was awakened by the sound of footsteps outside.

"Father, the matter has been taken care of. I went to warn the other party. I think they will not dare to do it in the future!" Zheng Qian's eldest son, Zheng Mingde, said.

"It's Mingde!"

Zheng Qian sat up, and Zheng Mingde quickly stepped forward to help him!

"Okay, your dad and I are not too old to move yet!"

Zheng Mingde smiled: "My father is in good health and his son is blessed to live a long life!"

"You."

"Dad is old. After returning home, he feels like he has nothing to do. He suddenly loses his energy. It is only by going to the academy that he can regain the feeling he had in the past. This man cannot be idle. He can't be idle. Something is wrong!”

"Look, Dad said, this academy belongs to us. You can go whenever you want. Who can stop you?"

"Confused!"

Zheng Qian pushed his son's hand away and said seriously: "Don't say these words from now on. I, the Zheng family, established the academy to train students of the Tang Dynasty, not for any selfish reasons. When the academy can operate normally, it will be handed over to the imperial court. Management, please don’t interfere in the future.”

Zheng Mingde was stunned: "Dad, why is this? I, Mrs. Zheng, am spending manpower and material resources just to make wedding clothes for the imperial court?"

Looking at his confused son, Zheng Qian sighed. This child is good at everything, he is filial and polite. There is nothing to say about how to treat people, but it doesn't have a big picture and the vision is not long-term enough.

"Does Taibai Academy know?"

"I know, it's the Royal Academy now, so what's going on?"

Zheng Qian had no choice but to say: "Who built that?"

"of course"

Zheng Mingde was stunned for a moment, as if he understood what his father was thinking.

"Look at Mrs. Ji, look at you? Duke Xi spent decades building the academy. The money, manpower and material resources he spent were more than enough to build a hundred Yingchuan academies."

"But have you seen him treating it as his own private property?"

"Now the president of the academy is the Supreme Emperor, the vice-president is His Majesty, and the minister of wine is Mr. Baishan of the imperial court. Who are the people serving in it? They are all officials with official official positions in the imperial court."

"Since the past few years, the academy has begun to have a surplus, and Ji has withdrawn and never said that the academy was built by Ji. Why is this?"

Zheng Mingde was not a fool, and was also very smart. He was surprised and said: "Is it to avoid suspicion?"

"Humph, you're not too confused!"

"The academy is a public institution. How can a public institution be used for private use? I did not establish the academy to compete with the imperial court for talents, but for reputation. As long as Yingchuan Academy remains, the imperial court and the students who leave the academy will have to pay tribute to me, Mrs. Zheng. This is much better than controlling the academy."

"You, you need to take a longer view, it's just an academy, I, Mrs. Zheng, don't care!"

Zheng Qian sat down again and said: "Look for some outstanding people in the academy and ask them if they are willing to go to my Zheng family's territory. As long as they are willing to pay, I will give them whatever money they want."

"After we went there, we started to build an academy. Not only did we have to build an academy in our hometown, but we also couldn't lag behind in the territory. Remember, talent is the foundation of everything at all times. If I, the Zheng family, can't produce talents in large numbers, no matter how many we have, Wealth and industry cannot last long.”

"Also, academy teaching must closely follow the Central Plains, and teaching content must not be changed privately. Overseas is overseas after all, and the development of more than ten generations without hundreds of years cannot be compared with the Central Plains dynasty."

"Some time ago, a dozen small families overseas who didn't know the heights of the world actually dared to de-Chineseize their territory, coined characters, and changed their clothes. Ha, they were just looking for death!"

Zheng Qian sneered and said: "You have to remember that I, the Zheng family, are descendants of the Yanhuang and the orthodox descendants of the Zhou Dynasty. How can I become a barbarian? Tell the people below that if anyone dares to think about this, there is no need for the imperial court to send troops. I will first Destroy him!"

"Those who insult our ancestors and betray our ancestors will be punished by everyone!"

Hearing this, Zheng Mingde bowed and said, "Yes, my son has remembered it!"

"Well, just leave these matters to your brother. Go to Chang'an in a few days. When you go, take my grandson with you. I heard that the third son of Duke Xi is about the same age as Yun'er, so I asked them to be a Come along!"

"My father has already sent a letter to Duke Xi. After he goes there, he will first become a counselor in Wuying Pavilion. After a few years, he will go to the local level to get some training. Then if there is a chance, he will enter Qilin Pavilion or the Sixth Department."

"As a father, I understand clearly. Whether it is Qilin Pavilion or Wuying Pavilion, they are important institutions that will govern the government in the future. All the people in them can really get in touch with state affairs. You have the relationship with Duke Xi, no matter where you are. It’s hard for you, but as long as I don’t make any principled mistakes, it’s not impossible to join the cabinet and participate in politics in the future!”

After all, Zheng Qian was a man who stood tall in the court. He saw many things clearly and was already planning his son's career in politics.

Zheng Mingde is not a young boy just starting out. In his thirties, he is at the peak of his life. Coupled with his family background, he knows that this is the best for him.