Autumn of the 17th year of Chongzhen

Chapter 1154 Run elementary schools and enlighten people's wisdom

Before modernization, the state of Chinese society was mostly determined by the gentry and clan elders in the countryside. This is also a big reason why the dynasties of all dynasties had to compromise with the gentry in the end in order to stabilize the country.

The imperial power did not come down to the county, and the countryside was managed by the gentry and elders. This saved a lot of costs for the dynasty's rule, but it also brought many hidden dangers to the dynasty.

Many country gentry did evil, and the final account must be charged to the dynasty, and the government's power was not sent to the countryside, which also weakened the power of the dynasty.

In the past dynasties, the power of the government was less than that of the countryside. It does not mean that the government intends to give up, mainly because the cost is too high for the government.

Wang Yan had such an idea. One very important reason was that the fiscal growth of the Ming Dynasty was obvious and taxes increased. He felt that he could make a difference, so he wanted to further control the region.

Hearing Wang Yan throw out another proposal, the seven elders hurriedly took another dossier from the junior official.

While they were watching, Wang Yan said: "Heavy orders make the country prestige, and national prestige brings peace to the world. Light orders make the country humble, and national humbleness makes the world dangerous. The lonely king thinks that the world is stable, in addition to the education of ritual and music, it also needs strict national laws. Orders must be followed!"

The file that the small official gave to each cabinet mainly said that some local tyrants and evil gentry used their local power, or the elders of the clan used the patriarchal system to set up private punishment halls to oppress the good, seize people's land, rape The act of robbing women.

Several elders read these files and understood Wang Yan's intentions. Chen Bangyan held the files in one hand and said, "Your Highness's meaning, I understand that the private establishment of punishment halls should be prohibited, and the laws of the country should be respected. !"

Wang Yan frowned and said: "The way of the great way, the world is for the public. This is what the sages and the people of the country have been asking for for thousands of years. We must strengthen the laws and regulations, and rely on the laws to govern the world, rather than doing random things based on personal will. In today's country, there are laws, However, the folks have their own way. If the country gentry is wise, it’s okay to say, but if you meet a gentry and elders with bad conduct, it will definitely be a disaster for the local people! It is a good thing for the people to let the court prohibit the private establishment of torture halls. Why not ?”

Chen Bangyan thought for a while, "His Royal Highness, if the imperial court expressly prohibits the private establishment of criminal halls, it violates the interests of the squires and must be opposed by them. The increase is about to increase, and even soldiers and horses will be sent to garrison, and the court is not ready, this is the second. And the most important point is that for thousands of years, if the people have any problems, they will first find the elders of the clan to solve them, and they will not happen. It has become an inherent concept that people do not want to disturb the government when it comes to major events such as murder cases. Moreover, the common people generally do not know the law. Even if the government has orders, they will still go to the clan elders first. Although I have a good heart, if this method is implemented, it will definitely do more harm than good to the court, so the lower officials oppose this proposal!"

After hearing this, several cabinet ministers discussed a few words, and couldn't help nodding their heads, obviously agreeing with Chen Bangyan's words.

Wang Yan had this idea before. Today he saw someone robbing a civilian girl in the street, but the people around him didn't stop him. Many people thought it was a matter of course, so he raised this idea today.

After hearing Chen Bangyan's three points, Wang Yan had to think deeply again, and when he thought about it, in addition to these three points, there was another point, which was whether the bureaucracy of the entire Ming Dynasty was clean or not.

For the common people, the cost of seeing an official is too high, which is also the main reason why they choose to find clan elders or gentry to solve their problems.

If the court forbids the gentry and clan elders to intervene in civil disputes, it may not only offend the gentry, but also make the conflicts of the common people irreconcilable, and instead resent the court.

Wang Yan nodded slightly, "What Chen Ge said is reasonable!" He pondered for a while, but then said: "It is really inappropriate to force this matter, and it may become an evil policy of the imperial court, but it is necessary to govern the country according to the law and educate the people with morality." Gu Wang’s strategy for governing the world in the future, Gu can’t just give up because of these difficulties and obstacles, this is a lazy government, a lazy government, a lack of progress, and the Gu Wang can’t accept it. Do you have any good suggestions?”

Since Wang Yan came to power, he has always been determined to forge ahead. After listening to Wang Yan's words, everyone understood what he meant. Moreover, "ruling the country according to the law and educating the people with morality" is a step further than the previous "restricting imperial power, and literati and bureaucrats rule the world together". Yan's thoughts on governing the country are more mature and specific. After listening to it, several cabinet ministers can understand the direction the court will work hard in the future.

"Your Highness, I think that this matter can only be done slowly, and cannot be forced!" After thinking for a while, Wang Fuzhi said: "Your Highness wants to rule the country according to the law and educate the people with virtue. The lower officials think that we must first broaden the wisdom of the people and let them know the law. Make the people wise. If the people have problems, they will naturally go to the government. The court only needs to be prepared, strengthen the ability of the local government to handle affairs, and send more people to maintain law and order and arrest lawbreakers. Set up a private punishment hall, and let the world order a door!"

Wang Yan's eyes lit up when he heard this, the imperial court directly issued an order, not to mention offending the gentry, it may not be able to be implemented, but it is wise to let the people know the law, if the clan elders and gentry are unfair, they will naturally come to the imperial court.

This is a subtly changing the status quo among the people, and naturally it will not arouse fierce resistance from the gentry, and in this way, it is not only conducive to the rule of law, but also greatly helpful to educating the people with morality.

But it is not easy to open up the wisdom of the people. First of all, it is necessary to set up academies and teach people to read and write. This requires the people to have a certain economic foundation. Even if there is no tuition fee, few schools will send their children there.

Wang Yan sighed, "Wangge Department's suggestion is very good, but this is at least ten, twenty years, or even longer! But Gu appreciates this suggestion very much. To broaden the wisdom of the people, it is necessary to build a large number of academies and elementary schools. Make people understand the law, the teacher can accept people with virtue, and let people know etiquette. In this way, the lonely king can rule the country according to the law and educate the people with virtue. This is a good strategy!"

Up to Wang Yan's current status, there is not much to ask for. He has few desires now, one of which is to make a big achievement, martial arts and martial arts, surpassing the celebrities in history, and create a peaceful and prosperous world that belongs to him!
"Since His Highness agrees, the Ministry of Rites will propose in next year's budget to expand the scale of schools in various prefectures and counties, and provide certain subsidies to private schools. I wonder what Your Highness thinks?" Gu Yuanjing said immediately.

Wang Yan thought for a while, "Don't subsidize private schools. The imperial court pays for the establishment of one to five Mongolian schools in each county, depending on the population. The imperial court does not charge tuition fees, and students only need to carry their own food. In addition, the government-run Mongolian students are admitted to the county. The number of students who are enrolled will be included in the performance evaluation of county officials."

Those who can go to the private school are those with good conditions, and the subsidy to the private school has a lot of room for manipulation, and it is easy to cause corruption, so Wang Yan vetoed it.

After finishing speaking, Wang Yan saw that everyone was meaningless, and immediately waved his hands: "Everyone, let's vote!"

This time, no one hesitated, and the resolution was passed unanimously, which showed that everyone recognized Wang Yan's philosophy of governing the country.

Wang Yan was quite relieved. During the last proposal, he clearly felt the hesitation of the Chu faction and had his own careful thinking, but this time when it was related to the long-term future of the country, he remained united.

Next is the issue of cracking down on gangs and illegal gentry. There is nothing to say about it. According to the law, those who should be arrested and those who should be killed are unanimously approved.

At this moment, Wang Yan nodded again, "Since it was unanimously passed, these two proposals should be sent to the palace as soon as possible, and they can be formally implemented after the seal is used."

Wang Yan stood up and said with a smile: "I still have something to do. The cabinet ministers continue to discuss the specific details, so I will go back home first!"

Wang Yan left first. At this time, Wang Fuzhi, who was in charge of the household department, got up and said, "As for the matter of Wude and Waiguo Workshop, I will go to the palace with Chen Yonghua to visit His Highness at night."

Wang Yan nodded, and then started back to the palace, waiting for the two of them to come over while dealing with affairs.

Before I knew it, it was night, but before Wang Fuzhi and Chen Yonghua came, Chen Bangyan took a military newspaper and hurried to the palace to ask for an audience.

He came to the study room and divided the guests and hosts into seats. Wang Yan asked with a smile, "Iwano is in a hurry, he has to run over overnight."

Chen Bangyan handed a military report to Wang Yan, and replied: "Your Highness, the report from Huai'an, Ma Guanghui from Xuzhou suddenly stopped attacking Huainan. , is it true that Jiang Xiang has rebelled!"

Wang Yan straightened his body and lifted his spirits, "If Jiang Xiang is really rebellious, there should be news from Tiandi and Nanyang soon."

Wang Yanyue was a little excited, but Dorgon stabbed him suddenly this time, which made him have to compromise with King Lu and Zheng Chenggong, leaving a hidden danger for himself. Die Dorgon.

For a while, Wang Yan leaned forward, approached Chen Bangyan, and asked, "How about the supplies that are going to Huai'an and Nanyang?"

"Just after the Tanglu Rebellion, the court is still in chaos, supplies and troops are still in preparation!" Chen Bangyan pursed his lips.

Wang Yan frowned, "The Ministry of War must act faster, this is a god-sent opportunity, we can't waste it!"

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(End of this chapter)