Rebirth of Zhu Di's son

Chapter 243 Planning Ten Years Later

Inside the Hall of Martial Arts.

After Zhu Gaoxu succeeded to the throne, his first game with his ministers officially began.

"Your Majesty, it is okay to allow craftsmen to study, but it is unprecedented to grant craftsmen the title of a famous scholar."

Xia Yuanji, the Minister of Household Affairs, said respectfully.

Seeing that Xia Yuanji had the same views as him, Jian Yi immediately stood up and walked to the middle of the hall, bowed to Zhu Gaoxu and saluted: "Your Majesty, please think again."

"What do other people think?"

Zhu Gaoxu's response to Jian Yi was to look at Song Li, Fang Xiaoru, and Yang Shiqi, and asked loudly.

After Jian Yi saluted, he did not return to his original position, but just stood in the hall with a bow.

Song Li was the Minister of Industry, and the matter discussed at this time was related to craftsmen, so he had to speak.

He stood up and walked to the side of Jian Yi, saluted Zhu Gaoxu and said respectfully: "Thanks to your majesty's recommendation, I took charge of the excavation and dredging of the river. For my great contribution, I will be awarded a baron."

"Later, I was ordered to facilitate water transportation and collect wood in Sichuan. I was promoted to Minister of the Ministry of Industry and was given the title of Viscount. Over the years, I have often dealt with craftsmen from all walks of life, and I have seen too many craftsmen with unique skills."

When Song Li said this, he leaned forward, cupped his hands towards Jian Yi and Xia Yuanji and said: "As the two ministers said, it is a blessing from heaven for the imperial court to allow craftsmen to study. However, I believe that among the craftsmen, there are also those who have made meritorious deeds for the country. Those who were awarded officials were like the village woman Ma Pengying during the Hongwu period."

Not long after the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang heard that there was a village woman in Changli County, Ma Pengying, who was proficient in algebra and astronomy. She often helped the villagers solve problems, such as improving farm tools and designing new waterwheels. He sent someone to commend the woman and recruit her into the court. The official ordered the Changli County government to subsidize the woman's salary of [-] dan per year.

After Zhu Di succeeded to the throne, Ma Pengying successively served as Shang Gong and Sigong.

In the late Yongle period, Ma returned to his hometown as an official because of his old age. His son Liu Zheng was later authorized by the imperial court to teach Confucianism in Changli County for life.

"Song Qing's words make sense. Emperor Taizu can recruit village women with virtuous reputations to serve as officials in the court. Naturally, I can also recruit craftsmen with virtuous reputations as officials."

Zhu Gaoxu nodded.

Then, he looked at Fang Xiaoru and Yang Shiqi and said, "What do Mr. Fang and Mr. Yang think?"

Since Fang Xiaoru and Yang Shiqi concurrently hold the lectureships of the main hall, Zhu Gaoxu addressed them as "sir" to show respect.

"Your Majesty, I think what Jian Shangshu, Xia Shangshu and Song Shangshu said are reasonable."

Fang Xiaoru said respectfully.

Zhu Gaoxu was unwilling to let Fang Xiaoru go, but asked: "Mr. Zhengxue, does he agree or disagree?"

Although Fang Xiaoru's influence on scholars at this time was far less than that of the Yongle period, if he could get the endorsement of a generation of great scholars, the matter of raising the status of workers and peasants would be smoother.

Of course, if Fang Xiaoru doesn't know how to praise and is unwilling to cooperate, it doesn't matter to Zhu Gaoxu.

He knew in his heart that the endorsement of the great scholar was the icing on the cake. To accomplish this, sufficient and sufficient reasons were needed.

"Your Majesty selects famous craftsmen as officials, and I naturally support it. I also support the establishment of a technical academy to improve the skills of craftsmen. You can grant craftsmen a prestigious certificate, and I have no choice but to oppose it."

Fang Xiaoru talked about it: "During the Renzong period of the Song Dynasty, there was a scholar named Zhang Yuan. After this man passed the imperial examination, he failed in many palace examinations, so he defected to the Xixia Kingdom, the mortal enemy of the Zhao Song Dynasty, in anger. He was highly valued by Li Yuanhao, the king of Xixia, and was promoted all the way up to the position of prime minister."

"This person repeatedly offered strategies to Li Yuanhao to deal with the Zhao and Song Dynasties, causing a lot of trouble and losses to the Song Dynasty. In view of this, Song Renzong, in order to prevent bad incidents like Zhang Yuan from happening again in the future, reformed the palace examination and abolished the elimination system , after passing the Gongshi examination, as long as you can participate in the palace examination, you can eventually become a Jinshi."

"Since the Zhao and Song Dynasties, Jinshi has been divided into five categories. The first-level award is for Jinshi and Wenlin Lang, the second-level award is for Jinshi and the rank of Wenlin Lang, the third- and fourth-level awards are for Jinshi's background, and the fifth-level award is for Jinshi and Wenlinlang. Granted the same background as a Jinshi."

"During the Hongwu period, after Emperor Taizu Gao restarted the imperial examination, he divided those who participated in the palace examination into the top three. The three people in the first class were awarded Jinshi status, that is, the number one scholar, the second best person, and the third flower. The dozens of people in the second class were given Jinshi background, and the third class Several people in the top three are given the same background as Jinshi."

Fang Xiaoru said this, stood up slowly, walked to Jian Yi's side, bowed and said: "Your Majesty, since the imperial examination reform was implemented in the 31st year of Hongwu, which divided the imperial examination into nine subjects to select scholars, Yongle dynasty 25 years ago, there were 2 people with the same Jinshi background. There are probably no less than [-] people so far, but no one has ever been given the same birth certificate."

He saluted and said: "Your Majesty wants to establish a technical academy to improve the skills of craftsmen. I agree, but giving the craftsmen the status of a scholar is against the ancestral system. I absolutely dare not agree."

"Your Majesty, this minister agrees."

Yang Shiqi also stood up quickly, came to the side next to Fang Xiaoru, stood there and bowed, bowing in salute.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at the five people in front of him with a smile on his lips.

He stood up and walked around the imperial table, stepped down from the imperial palace, and came to stand in front of Jian Yi and the other five people.Then, Zhu Gaoxu pinched his waist with his left hand and stroked his beard with his right hand, and said slowly: "Both craftsmen and farmers are the foundation of the country. Without farmers to cultivate fields and grow food, what would people in the world eat? Without craftsmen to engage in various industries, who would build bridges, roads, and cities?" House, consult a doctor, sharpen a knife and repair an umbrella, build a ship and go to sea?”

"Everyone knows that water can carry a boat and capsize it. I don't want craftsmen to steal the jobs of scholars, but I want to give craftsmen an opportunity to study in academies. All the ministers agreed with this point. I'm very happy."

When Zhu Gaoxu said this, he changed the topic and asked with a serious expression: "If a craftsman has successfully studied in a technical college and passed an exam at the same level as the regular college graduation exam, why can't he be awarded the same birth certificate? ?”

As soon as these words came out, Fang Xiaoru and the other five people were speechless.

In the 31st year of Hongwu's reign, the new imperial examination system implemented by the imperial court stipulated that all students who completed their studies in Changke Academy and passed the examination will be awarded the title of imperial examination.

With the Juren registration, you have the qualifications to be an official, and at the same time you have the qualifications to participate in the national examination and become a Jinshi.

In the same way, if a craftsman enters a technical college to complete his studies and passes the academic examination at the same level as that of a regular college, he should be granted the same academic status as a general practitioner.

"Your Majesty's words make sense, and I agree with you."

Jian Yi, the Minister of Civil Affairs, actually expressed his support.

"The minister also agrees."

Song Li said respectfully.

Just when Zhu Gaoxu felt a little surprised, Jian Yi added: "Your Majesty, the test papers for the technical college completion examination should be uniformly produced by the imperial court, otherwise it will be difficult to convince the public!"

Zhu Gaoxu's heart moved, and he instantly understood the implication of Jian Yi's words.

"Moreover, there must be certain requirements for craftsmen who enter the technical academy. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a joke for a young apprentice who has just entered the industry to attend the academy?"

Jian Yi said respectfully again.

"Wonderful! Jian Aiqing's words are very kind!"

Zhu Gaoxu immediately put his hands on his hands and said: "Just like only scholars who have obtained the status of scholar can study in regular academies, the entrance threshold should also be set for craftsmen to study in technical academies."

He did not give Jian Yi and others time to react, and continued: "I have decided to set up an additional yamen under the Ministry of Works to be responsible for checking and verifying the identity of craftsmen of those who apply for admission to the technical academy."

"As far as I know, for craftsmen, 'Those who have been in the industry for three years are apprentices, and those who have been in the industry for nine years are masters.' In order to reflect fairness and justice, all craftsmen who apply for admission to technical colleges must have the qualification of master craftsmen."

"In addition, in order to avoid favoritism and fraud, I have decided to order the world to allow all types of craftsmen to spontaneously organize and establish guilds of this type. Each guild will provide a list of craftsmen in the trade, and the imperial court will give priority to the qualifications of the craftsmen recommended by each guild. "

"In the review, the most critical thing is what achievements the craftsman has made. For example, he has made a huge contribution to the progress of a certain industry, or he has unique skills, or he has revolutionized a certain industry. a part of."

When Zhu Gaoxu said this, he solemnly said: "Especially those who have made great contributions to the court and the world, such as Bi Sheng, the inventor of movable type printing. If he is my subject, I will give him a title and let him enjoy the glory and wealth for the rest of his life! "

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Jian Yi bowed and saluted.

Song Li, Xia Yuanji and others also echoed: "Your Majesty is wise."

Zhu Gaoxu wanted to make a big push. While allowing all kinds of craftsmen to establish guilds, he also ordered that farmers in various towns and villages be allowed to establish peasant associations.

But after some thought, he temporarily gave up the idea.

Because the time is not yet ripe.

When various craftsmen's guilds develop, they will inevitably affect farmers across the country.

At that time, maybe it’s time to promote farmers’ associations.

Before that, Zhu Gaoxu must complete the military reform.

After all, the promotion of peasant associations will definitely arouse desperate opposition from large and medium-sized landowners and gentry powerful people!

By then, if the situation gets slightly out of control, war may break out.

Only when Zhu Gaoxu has the army firmly in his hands can he have the power to overturn the table at any time!
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(End of this chapter)