Daming: My boss Zhu Yuanzhang

After Li Wei left, Fang Xiaoru's face remained joyful, and she happily put away "Li Xue" and left the academy.

After entering the palace, he went to find Zhu Biao first. After all, the two brothers were easy to talk to. After Zhu Biao had a look first, he followed him to the Wuying Palace opposite to find Zhu Yuanzhang.

After listening to Zong Le and Sun Biyun's lectures recently, Zhu Yuanzhang gained a little from them, but he was not satisfied.

After all, monks and Taoists are outsiders. They are certainly good at pretending to be gods and tricking people and winning over people's hearts, but they are not good when it comes to practicing political science.

In this regard, the Confucians are much better than them. These Confucians are very thick-skinned and have the best of hundreds of schools of thought. They all accept them into their own sect and use the name of Confucianism to do anything, whether it is political planning or political management. For practical work, you can find corresponding theories in Confucianism.

It is not for nothing that Confucianism has been able to dominate the court for thousands of years. Buddhism and Taoism may be a supplement, but they can never replace it.

After understanding this, Zhu Yuanzhang felt a headache.

"Is it true that we can't live without these scholars?" Zhu Yuanzhang frowned and murmured to himself.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness the Crown Prince would like to see you." the young eunuch reported.

Zhu Yuanzhang said casually without raising his head: "Let him come in."

"According to the order."

The young eunuch stepped back, and then Zhu Biao led Fang Xiaoru in.

"See Your Majesty."

"Father."

The two of them greeted each other, and Zhu Yuanzhang waved his hand and asked, "Biao'er, what do you want from us?"

"Father, this is Xi Zhi's new work. This work is the first of its kind. The philosophy in it is profound and helpful for governing the country. I think it is comparable to the classics of saints and sages, so I came here to ask my father to read it!"

Zhu Biao greatly appreciated his book, held it in both hands and presented it to Zhu Yuanzhang.

Zhu Yuanzhang glanced at Fang Xiaoru. In fact, when he saw that Zhu Biao was bringing him here, Zhu Yuanzhang guessed that Fang Xiaoru must have produced something new.

However, he was not disgusted by this, especially the production-oriented article written by Fang Xiaoru based on Li Wei's remarks last time, which he also quite appreciated.

However, Zhu Biao's statement "comparable to sages" is a bit exaggerated. If this is true, then Fang Xiaoru may become one of the Confucian saints!

"Well, let us appreciate it too." Zhu Yuanzhang reached out and took it. When he opened it and saw the contents clearly, he suddenly felt enlightened.

This theory of the unity of knowledge and action was mentioned by Li Wei at a banquet before. He already knew it at the time, and he had been waiting for Fang Xiaoru to write this concept into a classic on world governance. However, he later became busy with his affairs and the death of Empress Ma, so he forgot about it. It was not until he saw Fang Xiaoru's new work that he remembered it.

"Yes, Not Bad!"

Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly.

Fang Xiaoru's new book not only fully explains the concepts mentioned by Li Wei, but also absorbs Li Weiduo's idea of ​​using vernacular writing. The words used in this book are simple, straightforward and easy to understand. This approach is more This made Zhu Yuanzhang, a big boss from a commoner background, very appreciative.

After browsing for a moment, a new idea gradually emerged in his mind.

Since Buddhism and Taoism cannot replace Confucianism, wouldn't it be enough if he split Confucianism into two parts to check and balance each other?

Now that there is this new learning, it conflicts with the previous classic Neo-Confucianism in many aspects. If this new learning is spread, it will definitely separate some scholars in Confucianism and form another sect!

"What Biao'er said is true, your new work is indeed comparable to the classics of the sages!"

Zhu Yuanzhang read it briefly and then affirmed it. Then he closed the book and said to Fang Xiaoru: "In this way, tomorrow you will go to the Imperial College to teach as a doctor and teach these ideas to the students."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

When Fang Xiaoru heard this, he was also happy, not only because he finally had an official position, but also because he could spread this concept to the world.

After thanking him, Fang Xiaoru hesitated for a moment and then said: "Your Majesty, this work has not been named yet. I dare to ask your Majesty to name it!"

"Huh? Doesn't this have a name?"

Zhu Yuanzhang was slightly startled and looked down at the word "Li Xue" on the cover.

He also knew that this concept was originally proposed by Li Wei, so he was not surprised by the name Li Xue.

Fang Xiaoru cupped his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the concept of this new work was proposed by Mr. Li, so I initially named it Li Xue. However, Mr. Li was indifferent to fame and fortune and declined the matter, so I wanted to take the trouble here. Your Majesty gave me the name."

When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he couldn't help but snorted coldly in his heart. What a waste of fame and fortune. In his opinion, this guy was just afraid that he would arrange new tasks for him!

As far as laziness is concerned, he sees through this kid!

Of course, Li Wei also saw through him!

"Since this book was jointly written by two teachers from your academy, let's call it Minghuang Neo-Confucianism." Zhu Yuanzhang said matter-of-factly.

Li Wei's guess was correct, and Zhu Yuanzhang felt that his naming was very reasonable. Fang Xiaoru and Li Wei were both from Minghuang Academy. Their theory was named Minghuang Neo-Confucianism. How reasonable!

"Yes, I obey your order!"

Fang Xiaoru didn't have any objections to this. Since he entered Minghuang Academy, although he has suffered a lot of grievances in his interactions with Li Wei, he has also been greatly inspired many times, and he has gradually developed feelings for the academy.

After Zhu Yuanzhang decided on the matter, he said to Zhu Biao: "Biao'er, please supervise the Ministry of Rites' resumption of the imperial examination later. Although Gao Xin was beheaded, the imperial examination cannot be stopped."

Although Gao Xin proposed the imperial examination, it was not his responsibility alone. The entire Ministry of Rites, including all local prefectures and counties, were all involved.

Today's imperial examination is not as convenient as the college entrance examination in later generations. It is easy to take it once a year.

When the imperial court wants to open a subject, it must first let the prefectures and counties hold college examinations to select talents, and provincial and rural examinations to select candidates. Finally, the candidates must go to Beijing to take part in the joint examinations and palace examinations, and get the top three candidates.

First-A is the well-known No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 overall pick, Second-A Jinshi, and Third-A Jinshi. Sometimes there are four to five hundred people, and sometimes there are dozens. As for the specific number, it depends on the speed of Zhu Yuanzhang's swordsmanship.

"My son obeys the order!"

Zhu Biao immediately agreed respectfully. Of course, he was also very aware of the speed of his father's sword. Now that the court was short of people, he must recruit more talented people to start this course!

Since the murder of Hu Weiyong, most of the officials in Zhongshu Province have been implicated. Coupled with Fan Min's corruption and the collapse of the "Li Party", civilian officials have died one after another. Now there is a serious shortage of positions in the court!

And this is not over yet. Zhu Yuanzhang will use the butcher's knife again to find out those who are secretly making trouble and chop a lot of them!

If the knife speed is too fast, it won’t work if we don’t recruit people quickly!

Zhu Biao and Fang Xiaoru each received their holy orders, and then they resigned together and left.

Zhu Biao returned to his Wenhua Hall to supervise the imperial examinations, while Fang Xiaoru went to get his official uniform certificate and prepared to give lectures in the Imperial College.

Of course, he will not give up at Minghuang Academy, and will still teach there when he has time.

……

At the beginning of the founding of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Guozixue, which was later renamed the Guozijian.

The Imperial College has six three-level halls, the first-class Hall of Sustainability, the second-class Hall of Cultivation and Sincerity, and the third-class Hall of Justice, Chongzhi, and Guangye.

The students among them are mainly tribute students from various places. In addition, there are quotas for the emperor's rewards for the children of officials, as well as some candidates who failed the examination and repeated the grade.

Except for a few of these students who came in with money, the others not only did not have to pay tuition, but also received subsidized food and salary. In addition to these explicit benefits, there are many other implicit benefits, such as those equivalent to those of scholars. Some benefits, such as being exempted from labor service, and the outstanding ones among the supervisors can be recommended to the various yamen of the imperial court to observe political affairs, etc. It can be said that there are many benefits.

Fang Xiaoru was Song Lian's favorite disciple and was well-known in the literary circle. When Song Ne, the Imperial Academy's wine minister, learned that he was going to enter the Imperial Academy, he was also very happy and specially ordered to summon outstanding students to attend the lecture. The students of the Imperial College were also looking forward to it very much. They gathered together early to hear what this long-famous talent would teach them.

In the Shuixing Hall, the two officials, Song Ne and Si Ye Du, were sitting upright. Others, including Fang Xiaoru, were standing one after another. In the middle were dozens of outstanding students who were standing and listening.

The rules here are much stricter than those at Li Wei's Minghuang Academy. The students don't even have tables and chairs, let alone talking casually. If anyone dares to violate the rules, the Prime Minister's whip will come down immediately!

Everyone took their seats, and Song Ne, who was sitting in the main seat, spoke first:

"Principle is the foundation of all things. Things and people each have their own principles. They all originate from this, just like the three cardinal principles and five constant principles..."

"However, if people desire too much, they will betray the laws of nature, so it is necessary to preserve the laws of heaven and destroy human desires..."

Song Ne was a believer in Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, and he spoke of the classic ideas of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.

All the students were familiar with Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism and quite agreed with it.

But Fang Xiaoru frowned slightly. He had read these concepts well before, but compared with the Minghuang Neo-Confucianism he had just written, there was a big difference. He chose this new idea proposed by Li Wei after careful consideration. Now that I hear these old ideas of Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism, I can't help but want to speak out against them.

However, thinking of the rules of the Imperial College, he still endured it and planned to wait until Song Ne finished speaking.

This is him. If Li Wei were here, he would probably start spraying when he comes up.

What is the purpose of destroying human desires? These people forced so many people to satisfy the emperor's human desires. The human desires of the people must be destroyed. The human desires of these powerful people are what nature deserves.

Desire is the biggest driving force for human progress. As long as you follow the rules and don't use illegal means, there is nothing wrong with having more desires.

To paraphrase later generations, if a person has no ideals, what is the difference between him and a salted fish?

After a while, Song Ne finished speaking, and Du Jie added two more points.

One o'clock and one hour, a whole hour was made up.

Although the students were extremely upset in their hearts, they did not dare to show any disrespect on their faces.

After Du Chi finished speaking, it was finally the turn of the serious teachers, that is, the doctors to give lectures.

"Today we have a new doctor from the Imperial College. Let me introduce to you. This is Fang Xiaoru, Tai Shigong's favorite disciple!"

Song Ne first introduced Fang Xiaoru's identity to the students. Song Lian majored in Yuan history, so they and other scholars were accustomed to calling him Tai Shigong.

The students had heard about this for a long time. After Song Ne introduced it, they all paid tribute to Fang Xiaoru:

"Meet Dr. Fang!"

Fang Xiaoru also bowed his hands and returned the courtesy.

Then Song Ne said again: "Now let Dr. Fang teach everyone the new knowledge he has brought. You should listen carefully!"

After Song Ne finished speaking, he signaled Fang Xiaoru to start speaking.

Fang Xiaoru had been patient for a long time. After receiving permission, he immediately stepped forward to the center and began to talk about the "Minghuang Neo-Confucianism" named after Zhu Yuanzhang himself.

"The mind is the principle, and knowledge and action are unified! What is the principle of heaven? It is not just empty talk. It is necessary to study things to gain knowledge, advance knowledge and action together, verify it with practice, and reflect on yourself at all times, in order to understand the principle of heaven..."

As soon as Fang Xiaoru opened his mouth, some of the students felt their eyes light up. This kind of statement was very fresh, and it was obviously different from Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism.

But people like Song Ne and Du Wei immediately frowned. They were both believers in Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism and were naturally extremely disgusted with these obviously opposing ideas.

"Dr. Fang's words are wrong. As the saying goes, to study things to gain knowledge, you need to know before you act! If according to your statement, knowing and doing should be done at the same time, wouldn't that mean you are doing something wrong?"

Du Qi endured it for a moment, and finally couldn't help interrupting him.

Fang Xiaoru didn't mind at all. Before he spoke, he had expected that this new concept would inevitably be refuted by others. This was inevitable.

"The principles of the world are so vast, how can we get them all? If we spend our whole life without getting them, we will have nothing to do. Isn't it just mediocre and inactive?" Fang Xiaoru.

“Looking at the expo will eventually lead to knowledge!”

"What you see on paper will eventually make you feel shallow. There is knowledge but no action. It cannot be called knowledge. As the saying goes, practice is the only criterion for testing truth. In order to obtain the principles of heaven, we need to advance knowledge and action together!"

"fallacy!"

Du Qi argued a few words and then couldn't help but angrily rebuke.

When the students saw the teacher quarreling, their interest suddenly rose, and they felt eager to try.

"Xizhi, where did you hear these theories?" Song Ne asked with a frown.

Fang Xiaoru didn't hide anything and said directly: "It was only after listening to Mr. Li Wei and Li's advice that I gained this experience and wrote this study."

"Oh, no wonder, it turns out he is a traitor to Party Li!"

When Du Jie heard this, he immediately sneered and started to attack personally.

Song Ne also frowned and said reproachfully: "Don't listen to that Li Wei's nonsense. What can he know, a reckless man who doesn't understand etiquette?"

"That is, this person was responsible for bringing trouble to the court. Although he was famous for a while, he was eventually deposed by His Majesty. You must not listen to this person's lies!"

Xuezheng, Xuelu and others nearby also began to join the discussion.

"No, I seem to have heard these statements before. After thinking about it carefully, I think they make sense!"

"Why, are you also a traitor to the Li Party?"

"..."

"Don't be a sycophant at every turn. What we are discussing now is this new learning!"

"Heretical pseudoscience, what's there to discuss..."

"You are so stubborn!"

"What did you say? Do you want to fight?"

"Just hit whoever you're afraid of?"

Five or six Ph.D.s, and a dozen or so academics and scholars are red-faced, rolling up their sleeves, and about to rise from a literary fight to a military fight.

The students also became restless, whispering among themselves, and soon they were about to start a quarrel. Even the supervisor could not stop it by blowing his whip.

"Okay, okay! Stop arguing!"

Song Ne suddenly stood up and shouted, and everyone gradually became quiet.

However, many people still looked at each other angrily, as if they could not distinguish right from wrong in literature, so they had to distinguish between superior and inferior in martial arts!

Song Ne frowned and glanced at everyone, feeling very angry in his heart. It meant that he couldn't fight at his age, and he was in the position of an official with great responsibilities, otherwise he would have wanted to end up arguing with these people!

Although Fang Xiaoru's new ideas are very attractive, after all, Cheng-Zhu Neo-Confucianism has been passed down for a long time, and everyone in the Imperial College is familiar with it. Although some more enlightened teachers and students are interested in it, most teachers Sheng still held the objection and offered to replace Song Ne with the sacrificial wine. (End of chapter)