Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

Chapter 235 Respect ghosts and gods and keep them at a distance

Every organization has the instinct to expand its power, and Zhu Youjian understands it very well.

In the past, adding a young minister to Taichang Temple was not a big deal. Zhu Youjian would have agreed casually and passed it in the court.

However, after the adjustment of Jiu Temple was completed, Zhu Youjian had planned to stabilize it for a period of time to avoid officials feeling that he was changing orders day and night and then being at a loss.

So he rejected Cao Sicheng's request and delayed:
"The addition of a young minister is a major matter and cannot be decided lightly."

"I said before that Shaoqing and Si Cheng can be in charge of the branch offices."

"Ni Yuanlu was born in the Han Dynasty and was knowledgeable and talented. When he acted as Si Cheng's agent, he was put in charge of the General Administration of Translation."

"It is necessary to establish various translation libraries, determine the types of languages ​​that need translation, and compare them with dictionaries."

"We will then study whether to establish a foreign language school, or establish a foreign language college in Taixue to train translation talents and introduce classics from all over the world."

This was a major event in Zhu Youjian's eyes. He wanted to take the initiative to introduce foreign classics to inject new vitality into the Ming Dynasty's thought and culture as Western learning spread eastward.

At the same time, the affairs of the General Administration of Translation can also test whether Ni Yuanlu is available. How capable and obedient this person is can be tested when the General Administration of Translation makes adjustments.

Although Cao Sicheng didn't know this, he felt the emperor's attention after hearing that the emperor intended to establish a foreign language school or a foreign language college in Taixue.

Not to mention the separate foreign language school, Taipei students are qualified to directly serve as officials. In particular, the Ming Dynasty had special policies for translators, and translators had special general positions.

Therefore, in his opinion, the emperor planned to improve the status of translators like he did in the early days of the country.

This matter is not big or small.

The reason why I say it is not small is that it is a way to become an official. Civil servants born as Jinshi instinctively suppress miscellaneous things, and translation is naturally among them.

It is said that it is not big because the emperor established the grinding and surveying method some time ago, clarifying that the grinding and surveying period for Jinshi is four years, and the grinding and surveying period for civil servants who are not Jinshi is six years. It is no longer possible for officials like translators who are not from Jinshi background to threaten Jinshi.

Therefore, Cao Sicheng turned this matter around in his mind out of his previous instinct of serving in the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and soon put it down.

Because he realized that after the emperor established the grinding method, Jinshi no longer needed to be wary of officials who were not Jinshi. Even if the emperor wants to reuse the translator, it will not cause an uproar.

On the contrary, if Taichang Temple can control the power of selecting translators, it will have some rights in employment. Cao Sicheng, who had served in the Ministry of Civil Affairs for many years, was very sensitive to this and bravely said:

"Your Majesty, the Siyi Pavilion was originally affiliated with the Hanlin Academy, and students from the Imperial Academy were selected to practice translation."

"I think it is very appropriate for Hanlin Academy officials to be in charge of the General Administration of Translation, and a foreign language college can be established in Taixue according to the old system to teach translators."

"I just don't know how to select translators and general staff from various countries?"

This authority used to belong to the Host and Guest Department of the Ministry of Etiquette. Cao Sicheng took advantage of the absence of officials from the Ministry of Rites to raise this matter.

Zhu Youjian considered that foreign language assessment requires professional talents, thinking about the foreign language examinations in future generations, and said:
"As you said, set up a foreign language college in Taixue, and the translators will be selected from there."

"The General Administration of Translation determines the foreign language proficiency level, allows Taipei students and those who are proficient in foreign languages ​​to refer to it, and issues certificates of qualification to those who pass."

"Translators are selected from qualified personnel, and outstanding candidates can be awarded level four to level six officials and hold general positions."

"You and Ni Yuanlu discuss the charter and submit a memorandum."

Cao Sicheng was overjoyed when he heard this, knowing that Taichang Temple had mastered this method of selecting officials. Even the Host and Guest Department of the Ministry of Rites might ask for help from Taichang Temple when encountering foreign envoys in the future.

Therefore, he agreed to this matter very actively and planned to let Ni Yuanlu take office as soon as possible to do this well.

The affairs of the General Administration of Translation and Interpretation were just trivial matters. Zhu Youjian remembered it and paid attention to it. What he is more concerned about now is religious matters.

After mentioning the Nine Lotus Guanyin Bodhisattva to Cao Sicheng, Zhu Youjian said:
"Cao Qing will discuss the scriptures of the Nine Lotus Bodhisattva with Hanlin Academy officials who are proficient in Buddhist and Taoist classics, Buddhism and Taoism, and the Li family, try to revise and improve it, and reprint it." "The Queen Mother's royal appearance in Yinghua Palace, I I will also invite him to draw a portrait of the Nine Lotus Bodhisattva."

"This matter must be done well, there can be no mistakes."

"Let the world know how much I respect Nine Lotus Bodhisattva."

"The Li family does not practice virtue, so I sent them to preach in other places to atone for their previous sins."

After this matter was explained clearly, Cao Sicheng finally understood the emperor's intention of summoning him.

The affairs of Wu Qinghou's Li family have long been rumored in Beijing, and there are various theories.

Now it seems that the emperor still remembers this relative and is unwilling to make things happen. Respecting Nine Lotus Bodhisattva shows this attitude.

In my heart, I envied the Li family's good luck, and thought about what the emperor said. As a Confucian scholar, Cao Sicheng naturally did not think highly of Buddhism and Taoism. And because he is now an official of Taichang Temple, he advised him out of his duties:

"Your Majesty, there are many false claims in Buddhism and Taoism. It is not appropriate to get too close."

"Li Hang, a minister of the Song Dynasty, once said: Young masters should be aware of the difficulties in all directions. Otherwise, if they are strong-blooded and do not pay attention to the sounds of dogs and horses, they will not be able to do things such as civil engineering, armor and soldiers, and praying to the temple."

"In the past, Emperor Shizong Jiajing sought immortality and was deceived by traitors. Your Majesty should take this as a warning."

Zhu Youjian was still able to listen to this kind of advice, and nodded in approval:

"What Cao Qing said is absolutely true. I just follow the teachings of the sages and respect ghosts and gods and stay away from them."

"Nine Lotus Bodhisattva is my great-grandmother, so naturally we need to respect her. I respect Bodhisattva, but I have no intention of building a temple."

"Let's see. The temple of Nine Lotus Bodhisattva will be located at the Cishou Temple built by the Queen Mother. The house of Marquis Wu Qing will serve as my family temple."

"The rest of the temples do not need to be built separately. Guanyin temples in various places only need to enshrine the images of Nine Lotus Guanyin Bodhisattva."

“There is no need to make statues except in the Shikai Dojo.”

In this way, the cost of building a temple will be smaller and the cost of renovation will be lower. It can save money and food and make it easier to preach.

Cao Sicheng was extremely excited when he heard that the emperor accepted the advice so readily. Ever since he was charged with treason, he had been trying to clear up his reputation. Now the emperor listens to his advice to stay away from Buddhism and worship ghosts and gods, and it is his credit that word has spread. Scholars rarely praise him and think he has character.

So now he has great respect for the emperor, and finally realized what the predecessors said about "meeting the Holy Lord at the right time", what it feels like -

When such a king is in court, he can't wait to shout long live!

However, Cao Sicheng soon felt the pressure of facing the Holy Lord Mingjun.

After following the good advice and accepting Cao Sicheng's advice, Zhu Youjian said:
"What gods are worshiped in this dynasty?"

"How should the ritual ceremony of Nine Lotus Guanyin Bodhisattva be determined?"

　"The Analects":
　　Fan Chi asked. Confucius said: "The duty of serving the people is to respect ghosts and gods and keep away from them. This can be said to be understood."

　　Zi does not talk about strangeness, strength, chaos, and gods.

　　Ji Lu asked about ghosts and gods. Confucius said: "If you cannot serve people, how can you serve ghosts?"

　　He said: "Dare to ask about death." He said: "If you don't know life, how can you know death?"

　　(Thank you all book friends for your support!)
　　
　
(End of this chapter)