Chapter 110: Only with Talent Can Prosperous Times Be Achieved

After the presentations of the viewpoints by the First, Second, and Third seat from both sides, a sharp debate ensued.

Zhang Zhi took the initiative and challenged Yang Shiqi, “Are you standing here relying on the Four Books and Five Classics or on miscellaneous studies from a hundred schools?”

This question was a direct challenge!

If Yang Shiqi answered that he relied on the Four Books and Five Classics, then that would be fine. These were the foundation for entering government service, and everyone should study them well without getting involved in other matters.

If Yang Shiqi said he relied on miscellaneous studies from a hundred schools, that would also be manageable. After all, he was an editor at the Hanlin Academy. If he didn’t understand various subjects, how could he work at the Hanlin Academy?

All eyes turned to Yang Shiqi.

However, Yang Shiqi remained calm and composed. He picked up his tea, took a sip, and then leisurely stood up, saying, “Miscellaneous studies from a hundred schools nourish my body, while the Four Books and Five Classics shape my mind. They are like parents, and the two cannot be separated. I wonder, director zhang, are your parents both well?”

Pfft!

Zhu Yunwen directly spewed out the tea he was drinking.

Oh my.

Yang Shiqi, oh Yang Shiqi, was your counterattack a bit too sharp?

In the midst of a serious debate, you ask about someone else’s parents.

Below, the crowd burst into laughter.

Although Yang Shiqi used the analogy of the Four Books and Five Classics and miscellaneous studies from a hundred schools to emphasize their importance, he essentially told Zhang Zhi that both were essential. However, when it reached the ears of the audience, it translated to:

Zhang Zhi, while your father is important, your mother is also important. If your parents aren’t both well, wouldn’t you be an orphan?

Xie Jin’s hands were trembling slightly. He had witnessed Yang Shiqi’s talent before, but he didn’t expect that while Yang Shiqi appeared amiable, his counterattack was extremely lethal.

Indeed, Zhang Zhi’s face turned various shades of blue and purple, and he stared with red eyes, but he couldn’t utter a word. Yang Shiqi had simply expressed friendly concern by asking about his parents; what could he do?

Having lost the debate, Zhang Zhi dared not challenge Yang Shiqi further. He was afraid that Yang Shiqi might inquire about his parents again. Instead, he turned to Yao Guangxiao and asked, “The Four Books and Five Classics are the foundation for selecting officials for the court. If other subjects are included, won’t it burden the students and hinder their future careers in the government?”

With this question, the students of the Imperial Academy couldn’t help but become more alert and attentive.

If the court were to introduce additional subjects at the Imperial Academy, it would inevitably divert the time and energy of the students. Even if studying miscellaneous arts was advantageous, they would disregard it if it affected their future careers.

This question indeed touches upon a crucial point.

Yao Guangxiao deeply glanced at Chen Xingshan and stood up, saying, “Before answering this question, may I request vice minister Chen to answer my question?”

“What question?”

“After passing the imperial examination and becoming a Jinshi scholar, what kind of official positions can one be appointed to?”

“It depends on their abilities, and they can be appointed as Supervisors, Censors, Secretaries, Attendants, Court Historians, Evaluators, Ministers of ceremonies, Imperial Academy Professors, Prefectural Magistrates, and County Magistrates, among other positions.”

Upon hearing this, Yao Guangxiao looked at the audience and said, “Those who pass the imperial examination as Jinshi scholars can be directly appointed to official positions by the court! Now, let’s compare this to Imperial Academy students. They can only serve in various ministries and local positions after passing the rigorous examinations at the Imperial Academy. Then, they must wait several years for official appointments.”

“Have you all considered that the imperial examination will become the mainstream path in the future? So, where does that leave Imperial Academy students? What advantage do they have to compete with the top scholars from the capital and thirteen provinces? If they have no advantages, why would the court select talents from Imperial Academy students?”

“The future path for Imperial Academy students should be to excel in miscellaneous arts and become competent and capable officials, winning against Jinshi scholars from the two capital and thirteen provinces. This is the way for Imperial Academy to thrive. In other words, without reform, Imperial Academy is destined to decline!”

Yao Guangxiao’s words were like a torrential storm, sweeping over the gathered students!

Although Imperial Academy was not in decline at the moment, as Yao Guangxiao pointed out, the future prospects for Imperial Academy students were becoming increasingly narrow and challenging.

Especially with the introduction of the “serving experience” system, it meant that all Imperial Academy students who wished to become officials had to serve in local areas for several years after passing the Imperial Academy’s rigorous examinations. Then, they could apply to the Ministry of Personnel for official appointments, and the timing of their appointments would be left to fate.

With the new emperor’s ascension and the emphasis on the imperial examination system, it was evident that the court was prioritizing imperial examination scholars over Imperial Academy students.

In the future, for Imperial Academy students to distinguish themselves, they would need more than just knowledge from the Four Books and Five Classics; it was becoming increasingly difficult.

Chen Xingshan was awakened by Yao Guangxiao’s words. He was, after all, an official from the Ministry of Rites and well aware of the truth behind Yao Guangxiao’s statement.

Looking at the situation since the 30th year of Hongwu, only a handful of Imperial Academy students had entered the court.

If it hadn’t been for Xu Miaojin’s recommendation of ten Imperial Academy students last year, along with the New Army’s policy for selecting personnel, there would have been very few Imperial Academy students entering official positions.

The emperor’s eagerness to promote the imperial examination system showed that he recognized the issues with the Imperial Academy. After all, the true organizer of this grand debate was the emperor himself.

Chen Xingshan glanced at Mao Hengtai, who was also stunned by Yao Guangxiao’s words. Mao Hengtai’s hands trembled slightly, and he understood that he had already lost the debate.

“Do we still need to continue the debate?” Xu Miaojin asked.

Seeing both sides shaking their heads, Xu Miaojin tapped the gong and said, “Very well, let’s move on to the free debate.”

Although it was a free debate, both sides fell into silence.

Seeing that the opposing side wasn’t speaking, Yao Guangxiao stood up and said, “If we don’t clarify the matter, Imperial Academy will have no future! The only way for Imperial Academy to embrace a prosperous era is through reform! And the foundation of this reform lies in the curriculum! Use the Four Books and Five Classics as the foundation, and embrace miscellaneous arts and diverse studies as the flesh and blood! In the future, when Imperial Academy students enter the court, they should become the pillars of society!”

“If that’s the case, what difference is there between the future of Imperial Academy students and petty officials?” Zhang Zhi stood up and asked sternly.

Yang Shiqi also rose to his feet, looked at Zhang Zhi, and solemnly said, “For ordinary commoners, the harm caused by petty officials far outweighs that of bureaucrats. If it benefits the country and the people, I, Yang Shiqi, am willing to become a petty official and practice the way of the sages! Director Zhang, you read the books of the sages, do you understand the importance of the people? Are you willing to become a petty official for the people? Or are you only capable of empty words from the sages but lack any deeds of the sages?”

Xia Yuanji added, “Exactly! Moreover, nowadays, petty officials receive salaries from the court and are included in the evaluations. If they perform well, they can attain the rank of Ninth Rank, and their sons and descendants can participate in the imperial examinations to enter official service. There are no more worries about their future. If one can serve as a petty official and benefit the people, it’s also a good choice. Director Zhang, do you think petty officials are so despicable in your eyes?”

“You!” Zhang Zhi was left speechless and couldn’t retort.

It was clear to everyone that in the free debate, the side supporting the reform of the Imperial Academy had an overwhelming advantage.

After the free debate ended, Xu Miaojin turned her gaze towards the audience and shouted, “I believe that Imperial Academy students now understand the future direction, and I also believe that you will determine the future of Imperial Academy with your attitudes! Now, those who support the reform of Imperial Academy’s curriculum, please raise your hands!”

Xie Jin turned his head to look but saw no one raising their hand.

However, at that moment, Xu Huizhu raised his hand high and shouted loudly, “Only through reform can we find a way forward!”

One person, two people, three people, and many more raised their hands.

The chant of “Only through reform can we find a way forward” echoed through the hall!

Xu Miaojin saw the support from the crowd, and she saw Zhu Yunwen also raising his hand, her eyes welled up with emotion.

It’s done!

The Imperial Academy can have a future now!

Xu Miaojin understood that introducing miscellaneous arts into Imperial Academy was only the first step in the institution’s reform.

The core of this step was not about whether miscellaneous arts could enter Imperial Academy but whether people’s minds could break free from the constraints of the Four Books and Five Classics.

Zhu Yunwen’s face was filled with a smile.

The reform of the Imperial Academy’s curriculum had cleared the biggest obstacle to the grand educational strategy.

In the future, he would focus on the Imperial Academy and reform the educational methods and content!

Talent!

He needed genuine talent!

Only with talent could they make the Ming Dynasty prosperous!

Only with talent could they usher in a prosperous era!

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