Chapter 108: You, You’re Just a Beast…

Mao Hengtai’s words made Zhang Zhi, Chen Xingshan, and others faces look very unsightly and also caused dissatisfaction among some of the people in the audience.

Chen Di, the Minister of Rites, gave a fierce look at Qi Tai, the Minister of Personnel. Qi Tai looked at Chen Di and snorted, saying, “What’s wrong with the Vice Minister of Ministry of Personnel contending for the three seats?”

Chen Di’s cheek twitched with anger. He said, “What’s more important, the three seats or the debate itself? Right now, the Imperial Academy, civil and military officials, and even His Majesty are all watching. Allowing him to quarrel for his own selfish gain, wouldn’t that bring shame upon us?”

Qi Tai frowned and looked at Maohengtai standing on the stage. He was a capable official, but he lacked stability.

Reputation is important, but it also needs to be obtained in the right way.

If one forces the issue, even if one gains honor, it will leave behind a blemish that invites criticism.

Xu Miaojin looked at Zhang Zhi and the others who couldn’t resolve their dispute, took out a copper gong from the side, and lightly struck it twice. She said, “I’ll give you ten breaths to decide. If you still can’t determine the three seats, then it will be considered as losing the debate.”

Zhang Zhi and the others were anxious and berated Mao Hengtai one by one.

Although Zhuo Jing also wanted to contend for the third seat, he had only been promoted to Vice Minister of Ministry of Revenue for two months, and his position was not yet stable, so he suppressed his unwillingness and did not participate in the dispute.

“Alright, don’t argue anymore! I’ll withdraw from the third seat!”

Lu Yuan was at a loss. Since Mao Hengtai wouldn’t give in, Chen Xingshan was from the Ministry of Rites, and Zhang Zhi was from the Imperial University, they had to stay in the three seats. The only way to resolve the conflict was for him to withdraw.

Mao Hengtai won the three seats, but he lost in terms of character and official rank, yet he sat on the three-seat position complacently, unaware of his own lack of self-awareness.

Upon seeing this, Xie Jin sighed and said to Zhu Yunwen, “This Mao Hengtai is too eager for quick success and instant benefits, disregarding the overall situation.”

Zhu Yunwen just smiled faintly and didn’t comment.

Xu Miaojin introduced the three representatives from both sides: on the eastern side, Zhang Zhi as the first seat, followed by Chen Xingshan as the second seat, and Mao Hengtai as the third seat. On the Western side, Yao Guangxiao was the first seat, followed by Xia Yuanji as the second seat, and Yang Shiqi as the third seat.

Clang! Clang!

After the sound of the copper gong, Xu Miaojin said to the crowd, “The three seats have been determined. Now, let the first seat of the side that advocates orthodox education and rejects miscellaneous studies from entering the Imperial Academy present their main arguments. Zhang Zhi, you have 30 breaths, do not exceed the time limit.”

Zhang Zhi stood up, looked at the audience, bowed deeply, and then straightened up, saying, “The Imperial Academy is the highest academic institution in Ming Dynasty, gathering talents from all over the world. It should naturally unify knowledge, revering the teachings of Confucius and Mencius, and not be disturbed by miscellaneous studies. If we allow weeds to grow unchecked in the field of pure and unblemished knowledge, how can we stand idly by?”

“We scholars consider the Four Books and Five Classics as the backbone of our studies. We should uphold our duties, devote our entire lives to studying the words of sages, learning about the deeds of the wise, cultivating our character, understanding ancient and modern knowledge, and becoming the talents who can govern the country! Miscellaneous studies such as agriculture, commerce, craftsmanship, military arts, medicine, and technology have their respective experts who should master them. What qualifications do they have to enter the Imperial Academy?”

“If one is a farmer, they should excel in farming; if one is a merchant, they should understand the way of seeking profit; if one is a craftsman, they should be skilled in their trade! For scholars, all they need is to comprehend the wisdom of the sages, serve the court, and oversee all fields of endeavor! The ability to oversee these fields lies in methods and understanding of human nature, not in mastering miscellaneous studies!”

“Therefore, the talents of the Imperial Academy should only be the sons and daughters of the sages, achieving scholarly accomplishments, entering the bureaucracy, and governing the country and local regions. They should rely on the wisdom of governing the country, not on miscellaneous studies! The wisdom of governing the country resides in the Four Books and Five Classics, in the words of the sages…”

Clang! Clang!

Xu Miaojin struck the copper gong, and Zhang Zhi glared angrily, shouting, “I haven’t finished speaking!”

“The time is up,” Xu Miaojin said softly.

She then turned to Yao Guangxiao and others, saying, “Now, supporting innovation and the inclusion of miscellaneous studies in the curriculum of the Imperial Academy, the first seat Yao Guangxiao, please present your main arguments.”

Yao Guangxiao smiled as he stood up, bowed to the audience, and glanced at the dissatisfied Zhang Zhi before loudly proclaiming, “I heard Director Zhang Zhi’s words just now, and I am deeply concerned. If the students of the Imperial Academy all follow his views, there will be no future.”

“Monk Yao!”

Zhang Zhi stood up.

“During the presentation of other arguments, there should be no interruptions. Director Zhang, this is your first violation of the rules! If it happens again, your three-seat position will be revoked!”

Xu Miaojin sternly declared.

Zhang Zhi gritted his teeth and reluctantly sat back down.

Yao Guangxiao paid no heed and continued, “Director Zhang believes that the Four Books and Five Classics are the backbone of scholars. However, he seems to forget that humans, with just a backbone, cannot survive! They need four limbs, a hundred bones, flesh, and skin! The Four Books and Five Classics mold the spirit, while diverse studies from a hundred schools shape the physical form! If we only mold the spirit and neglect the form, wouldn’t we be like beasts, only speaking but lacking a human appearance?”

The audience erupted in discussion.

Xie Jin, holding a teacup, forgot to drink as he secretly glanced at Zhu Yunwen, silently gnashing his teeth. Yao Guangxiao’s tactic of ‘using one’s spear to attack one’s own shield’ was quite impressive.

Not only did he exploit Zhang Zhi’s weakness, but he also directly insulted him, almost pointing at Zhang Zhi’s nose and saying, ‘You, you’re a beast…’

Zhang Zhi’s face turned crimson, but he dared not interrupt.

Yao Guangxiao continued, “The myriad branches of miscellaneous studies all constitute knowledge. If we only understand the teachings of the sages but are ignorant of the techniques from various fields of study, won’t our words be empty and our deeds be in vain? If everyone acts this way, how can the great Ming’s mighty ship navigate the seas?”

“The way of governance and human conduct should encompass the strengths of a hundred schools, shaping our appearance and strengthening our bodies. Only then can we have clear insights and avoid being all talk and no substance!”

“I believes that the stability and prosperity of the Great Ming are not solely the result of the Four Books and Five Classics but rather the cumulative effort of diverse scholarly disciplines, myriad livelihoods, and the diligent work of sixty million common people!”

Having said this, Yao Guangxiao sat down.

My apologies for the previous inaccuracies. Here’s the corrected version:

At this moment, Xu Miaojin had not yet struck the bronze gong.

The audience fell into silence.

“You all enjoy prosperity, which is not solely the result of the Four Books and Five Classics but the collective effort of diverse knowledge, myriad livelihoods, and the diligence of sixty million common people!”

One statement resonated and awakened everyone!

Scholars often only cared about their own contributions, considering themselves the architects of a glorious era. But upon closer reflection, was it truly the case?

How could the diverse knowledge of a hundred schools not contribute to the brilliance of the Ming Dynasty?

How could the myriad livelihoods of a thousand families not contribute to the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty?

How could tens of millions of people not be the cornerstone of the Ming Dynasty?

“Well done!”

Someone among the students shouted loudly, followed by a chorus of applause.

Zhu Yunwen nodded slightly, a hint of a smile on his lips, showing his appreciation for Yao Guangxiao’s abilities.

“Your Majesty, this man is incredibly talented and could be appointed to the Grand Secretariat.” Xie Jin whispered.

Zhu Yunwen glanced at Xie Jin and said with profound meaning, “Without someone recommending him, it’s difficult…”

Xie Jin raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying, “I believe that after this debate, someone will recommend him.”

Zhu Yunwen remained calm, his gaze fixed on the stage.

Zhang Zhi was subdued by Yao Guangxiao’s words and couldn’t rebut, so he could only hold his breath in frustration.

Now it was the turn of the second seat, Chen Xingshan.

Chen Xingshan stood up and saluted before expressing his views directly, “The Ming Dynasty’s brilliance has been achieved through the contributions of a hundred schools of miscellaneous arts, but we must distinguish between the primary and secondary. Students of the Imperial Academy should focus on studying the Four Books and Five Classics, just as ordinary people focus on tilling their fields and not engaging in trade, trading goods, or personally tilling the fields. Students should dedicate themselves to studying the words of the sages, not dabbling in the miscellaneous arts of a hundred schools.”

“With the primary as the foundation, we can promote learning, investigate the principles of the heavens and earth, and formulate strategies to govern the state and secure the nation. If we lean towards miscellaneous arts, won’t it be like farmers turning to trade, traders becoming craftsmen, and craftsmen engaging in farming, while students delve into the diverse arts?”

“The sun and moon rise and set, the constellations follow their courses. Seasons change from cold to hot, and then from hot to cold. Everything has its own rules and predetermined outcomes, and we must not violate them. Otherwise, if we don’t distinguish between primary and secondary, and the ebb and flow is uncertain, the hearts of the people will become restless, and peace will be hard to achieve!”

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