The literary giants of the late Ming Dynasty began by copying books

Chapter 137 Government studies and government discussions
Early the next morning, Wang Wenlong was picked up by Ye Chengxue from the wealthy merchant where he was staying, and he was invited all the way to Changzhou Fuxue in the southwest of the prefecture.

Although Wang Wenlong, as the leader of all living beings, was given the first voice in the process of the election of Changzhou students by members of the Donglin Party, Wang Wenlong still had to be molded into a leader recommended by all the living members for the sake of face.

So today Wang Wenlong must first go through this formality in front of the scholars in Changzhou.

In prefectural schools of this era, the students who can enter generally have very strong scientific examination ability. Whether they can continue to pass the examination depends on their own understanding. The academic officers in prefectural schools do not teach anything at all. He is only responsible for distributing lumi to junior students and taking exams.

However, the status of government-run schools became more and more important in the Ming Dynasty, because at this time the status of schools had changed from a place of teaching to a gathering place for scholars to discuss the gains and losses of government affairs and national policies.

The style of discussing politics in schools was already very prosperous in the Ming Dynasty, and political discussions even became the main function of government-run schools in the Ming Dynasty.

In later generations, Huang Zongxi and others proposed that "the right and wrong should be disclosed in schools" and suggested changing the main function of schools to discuss national affairs. They even advocated changing monasteries and nunneries into academies and primary schools, turning all these places into places for discussing the pros and cons of political affairs. It is hoped that this can be used to supervise the behavior of the imperial court. The source of these views is the political discussion atmosphere in Jiangnan schools at this time.

Objectively speaking, the school at this time was a gathering place for the landlords, gentry, and the emerging merchant class. Large landowners and businessmen who had never read a book could also go to the school to participate in lectures and discussions.

This means that the territory of the Ming Dynasty is large enough, and the budding bourgeois forces in the southeast corner are too weak compared to the entire Ming Dynasty. In addition, there are strong enemies outside. If it is placed in a country with a smaller territory, With such a group of gentry gathering together to discuss government affairs, I'm afraid Wanli will really be pushed to the status of a constitutional monarch.

But Wang Wenlong knew very well that this road would not work in the Ming Dynasty, because the Donglin Party tried it, and it turned out that this method only made the entire country a mess.

Different countries have different paths to rise. The geography, history, and population of the Ming Dynasty all determined that this vast nation must use a more realistic way to solve problems, and did not give the southeastern gentry the conditions to be alone.

After sitting on the carriage and riding for two sticks of incense, Wang Wenlong followed Ye Chengxue to Changzhou Fuxue.

Culture and education in Changzhou are prosperous, and the government schools often receive donations from the local gentry. Changzhou government schools were first built during the Taiping and Xingguo years of the Song Dynasty, more than 600 years ago. During this period, people continued to repair them. It was said to be a school, but in fact it had It is a huge palace and temple complex with four dining halls, more than 80 cottages, a large number of pavilions and ancestral halls for worshiping Confucian sages.

News has long circulated in Changzhou Fuxue: Today the students in Changzhou will discuss writing letters of advice to the emperor. Not only scholars from Changzhou will come, but also many businessmen, landowners, and gentry who care about the government will also come to participate.

When Wang Wenlong and Ye Chengxue arrived, a large group of literati led by Gu Xiancheng were already waiting there under the inscription "State Learning Records" written by Wang Anguo of the Northern Song Dynasty.

The 30 people in front of me are just the big guys from the Donglin Party present. The number of people who will follow to listen to the lecture will be at least [-] to [-].

This battle is actually not that big. If Gu Xiancheng was the main author of the discussion today, I am afraid that by now, the entire building from the entrance of Fu Xue to the Chun Guifang archway would have been packed with people.

As soon as Wang Wenlong arrived, Gao Panlong came up to him with a smile and said, "Jianyang kept us waiting for a long time."

Wang Wenlong also quickly jumped out of the carriage and said with a panic look on his face: "I was still revising the text on the way, so I was delayed a bit. I'm really scared."

"It's never too late to write a good article. Everyone is looking forward to Jianyang being able to take the lead in promoting its meaning today!"

Wang Wenlong greeted all the Donglin bosses present, and then everyone looked at his sleeves, curious about what kind of article he had written.

Wang Wenlong first took out the outline he wrote on the carriage, "The focus of what I wrote today is to broaden the voice, open up business, and reduce taxes. The outline is here. You can take a look first."

This was what Gu Xiancheng and others were most concerned about. They quickly took over and saw that Wang Wenlong had clearly written the outline of today's meeting. It seemed that there was no big difference between the views of the Donglin Party and they were finally relieved.

Wang Wenlong smiled and said: "This young man has little talent and little knowledge. He only has a brief knowledge of Western anecdotes. Although he has written "History of Portugal" and "Tianyan Lun" to leave some fame in Sanwu, he is really worried that he will not be able to take on today's big responsibilities. After thinking about it, I can only give you some advice on how to increase revenue and reduce expenditure, and please don’t dislike me for being shallow.”

Wang Wenlong had thought about this passage repeatedly in the carriage:

First of all, he showed his modesty by saying that he had little talent and knowledge; then he showed that he had the background of the works "History of Portugal" and "The Theory of Heavenly Evolution". He already made it clear in his words that the Donglin Party asked him to write an essay with the help of them. His reputation came to help him, and if the Donglin Party didn't give him face, he could just quit. Finally, he gave the bottom line. In the article, he just wanted to point out some financial shortcomings. As for scolding the emperor and eunuchs, he would not say anything.

Finally, Wang Wenlong took out the proclamation he was going to launch today from his sleeve and said with a smile, "Do you want to see the specific content?"

"In other words, Jianyang is famous all over the world. Today, it is better for me and other Changzhou literati to thank Jianyang if they are willing to be the pioneers of our generation. Since the regulations are here, why bother to read the content carefully?" The Donglin boss present is not a fool either. , understood the meaning behind Wang Wenlong's words, and waved their hands to show generosity.

They had expected that Wang Wenlong would definitely not take part in anything too exciting.

Even if some people feel that it is not appropriate for Wang Wenlong to take action, the deal is already done. As long as Wang Wenlong can cooperate with them, they cannot go back on their word.

Everyone led Wang Wenlong into Changzhou Mansion School.

Hundreds of people who came to attend the lecture in the school had already gathered there.

After entering Changzhou Academy, everyone first came to the statue of Confucius. Hundreds of Changzhou Confucian scholars lined up neatly and first bowed to the statue of Confucius.

Under the guidance of his academic officer, Wang Wenlong lined up behind Boss Dong Lin.

The process of presenting the title, reading blessings, and performing the ceremony were carried out in sequence. There was also a special band playing drums and music nearby, and the spectators stood in silence.

This is called the release ceremony.

In the academic circles of this era, although the main content was to discuss government affairs, they still had the title of lecturer, and all behaviors were very formal.

After the ceremony, political affairs cannot be discussed, but lectures must be given first.The main speaker of today's lecture is Gu Xiancheng. After he came to the stage, he began to talk about a chapter of the "Four Books".

Wang Wenlong watched with gusto from below.

He had studied ancient Chinese politics when he was a student, and knew that the political discussions in schools during the Ming and Qing Dynasties first began with such lectures.

In the beginning, it was just a simple lecture, but scholars often discussed each other after gathering to give lectures, and this gradually formed a routine. By this time, during the Wanli period, the content of the lectures given by the school was no longer important. Instead, because the school lectured regularly, it was given It was an opportunity for scholars to gather together regularly to discuss government affairs.

Until the establishment of the Donglin Party later, in Donglin Academy, every time everyone discussed government affairs, they still had to start with a talk. This has become a practice.

At this time, people generally believed that only with the ceremonial and holy aspects, lectures and exchanges, and more serious discussion of government affairs, could the attitude be correct.

It belongs to the political discussion tradition that is more suitable for Ming Dynasty babies.

……

At the same time, a large number of people gathered outside Changzhou Fuxue, waiting for the lectures in the Fuxue to finish before going in to participate in the discussion.

Lectures in this era were not only attended by scholars. In fact, the Donglin Party represented the interests of the property-rich and business class. Many people without fame would also come during their official lectures. These people were the real leaders of the Donglin Party. Supporters are also the real targets of Donglin Party’s series of political views.

The capable among these people can also become the backbone of the Donglin Party and will not be excluded.

Wang Wenyan and Huang Zunsu were standing in the middle of the crowd.

Wang Wenyan is in his early twenties and has a smooth face.

This guy is just a jailer now. He doesn't even have the reputation of being a scholar. He has a very clear mind. He is very comfortable in Shezhou. He has contacts with all kinds of religions and nine schools. He has already joined the county government.

Wang Wenyan's title of supervising students would not be donated until he came to Beijing 20 years later. By then, he was already a major think tank of the Donglin Party and came to Beijing to help for the benefit of the party.

The Donglin Party was extremely powerful at that time. Although Wang Wenyan only had the title of supervising students, he was actually promoted by Donglin boss to become a member of Zhongshushe. At that time, he was known as "controlling the world with a commoner's body."

Of course, Wang Wenyan was far from that powerful at this time. He looked at the bustling scene in front of him, grabbed a young man next to him, and asked curiously: "My friend, what's your surname? Do you know the name of the person hosting today?"

The man he captured had a very tender face and a thin beard that had just grown on his lips. He was no more than sixteen or seventeen years old.

Hearing this, he cupped his hands in front of Wang Wenyan and said, "Your Majesty, Huang Zunsu, has not yet entered school, so I don't dare to call him a friend. I heard that the speaker today is Wang Wenlong, a famous official who wrote "History of Portugal"."

Wang Wenyan became excited when he heard this. He didn't know a few Chinese characters, but he was keenly aware of an emerging political force rising in the southeast. He felt that there might be opportunities for development. This time, he heard that students in Changzhou were recently filing petitions. That's why I came here specifically to join in the fun this time.

Wang Wenyan's actual talents will not be revealed until he reaches a high-level position. He has been in Changzhou for a few days. Although he wants to join the circle of scholars, he cannot get in at all. He also tried to sneak into the literary society to get a quota. He wanted to make friends with those scholars, but he could not understand a word of the classics and meanings taught by those Confucian scholars. Instead, he was frustrated because he could not fit into other people's topics.

The "History of Portugal" written by Wang Wenlong is a rare book that he has heard of.

Wang Wenyan nodded with a hint of approval: "So it's him?"

Huang Zunsu saw Wang Wenyan's appearance and asked curiously: "My friend also likes to read "History of Portugal"?"

Huang Zunsu is only 16 years old now, and he doesn't even have the reputation of being a scholar. He came to Changzhou from Zhejiang to study. After seeing the situation of the officials here, he yearned for them. He determined to study hard when he went back and become such a famous official in the future.

Wang Wenyan laughed loudly: "That's natural."

Huang Zunsu also read "History of Portugal". He was amazed by Wang Wenlong's talent and learning, and even thought of writing a letter to Wang Wenlong to express his feelings about reading. However, his reputation was too small and he could not send the letter to Wang Wenlong.

The two immediately talked about Wang Wenlong's works and thoughts.

In fact, Wang Wenyan didn't know a few Chinese characters. He heard the contents of "History of Portugal" from the story-telling stalls. However, he was extremely perceptive. He actually understood a lot of things just by relying on the few words on the storytelling stalls. After discussing it with Huang Zunsu, It's clear and logical.

In the original history, Huang Zunsu would be admitted to Jinshi 15 years later and then become a cadre of the Donglin Party. Together with Wang Wenyan, he was known as the "two great think tanks of Donglin".

Not many people may know Huang Zunsu's name, but his son Huang Zongxi must be known to everyone.

And in this time and space, the two of them met in this way by chance.

Both of them liked Wang Wenlong's works, and after a discussion, they felt quite understanding. Just when they agreed to go drinking together, the door of the academy finally opened again.

Gu Xiancheng's lecture ended and the discussion of current affairs officially entered.

Huang Zunsu and Wang Wenyan also stopped talking. They crowded into the academy with a group of businessmen and landlords without fame, for fear that they would run too slow and not get a seat.

(End of this chapter)