Chapter 170: Ignorant of the Current Situation, Like a Frog in a Well

Judgment led to a dispute; Zhang Yue remained stubborn in his views, and Yao Guangxiao and Yang Shiqi did not back down, arguing their points logically.

Zhang Yue was quite annoyed. Did these two really understand how to evaluate examination papers?

“Don’t argue anymore.”

Fang Xiaoru, sensing that the situation was escalating and affecting others’ evaluations, walked over and sternly said to Zhang Yue, “Yao and Yang are appointed chief examiners by the emperor, responsible for overseeing the imperial examination. In case of any objections, follow the decision of the chief examiner. You are aware of this, right?”

Feeling somewhat frustrated, Zhang Yue complained, “But this examination paper goes against the teachings of the sages…”

“Whether the examination paper goes against the teachings of the sages or not is not your concern. Sit down and continue evaluating. If there are more papers like this, submit them directly to the chief examiners. No need for further discussion,” Fang Xiaoru stated sternly.

Zhang Yue reluctantly lowered his head. He could disdain Yang Shiqi for his improper background and look down on the monk for lacking scholarly achievements, but he couldn’t ignore Fang Xiaoru. This was a renowned Confucian scholar, an intellectual idol.

Seeing that Zhang Yue accepted his words, Fang Xiaoru lowered his head to examine a paper. He nodded slightly and said, “The ‘Record of Rites’ says, ‘Having extensive knowledge and strength but showing humility, fostering good deeds without indolence, this is called a true gentleman. A true gentleman does not exhaust people’s pleasures, nor does he deplete people’s loyalty, to fully engage in relationships.’ Although Guan Zhong had faults, he was still a true gentleman. This article eloquently expresses profound views and is the work of a talented individual.”

Yang Shiqi took the paper Fang Xiaoru handed over, nodded respectfully.

Since being criticized by Zhu Yunwen with the statement “carving a boat to seek a sword,” Fang Xiaoru seems to have become less stubborn, although his words and actions still vividly embody the essence of Rites of Zhou.

Fang Xiaoru turned around with a smile.

The emperor’s point was that, in seeking a sword by carving a boat, one could only find traces on the boat but not the sword itself.

Studying the Rites of Zhou was like carving a boat. To find the sword, one needed to return to the original place.

However, going back was not possible.

The current of history surged forward, and even if one returned to the era of the Great Zhou, that sword had been swept away by hidden currents.

Understanding knowledge is to know the boat and the sword.

Applying knowledge is to know the boat and then forge a new sword.

Using ancient wisdom for modern times, understanding the past to illuminate the present is the grand path.

On this point, he found himself less insightful than the emperor. Wasting half a lifetime, he only drifted along the boat, admiring stars and the moon, considering himself on the right path, but never reaching the mountaintop to see the desolation and changes beneath his feet.

One should not be too stubborn, stubborn to the point of directly denying others’ opinions without thinking and reasoning.

Denying without a basis can only prove one’s ignorance and immaturity.

Now, he was not ignorant anymore, not immature anymore.

Confucius’ words and actions might not be entirely correct; he also killed Shao Zhengmao on dubious grounds.

The sanctity of a sage lies in their achievements.

To view their merits and demerits dialectically, without covering demerits with merits or merits with demerits, is the proper way of learning.

Fang Xiaoru’s gaze showed determination as he sat back down and picked up another examination paper. He read it slowly, frowning slightly.

“In ancient times, a country that forgets about war is bound to face danger. Huangdi said: Even if there are golden walls of ten fathoms, moats a hundred steps wide, and an army of a million soldiers, without sufficient grain, defense is impossible. From the Three Dynasties onwards, there is no military system more detailed than that of the Western Zhou… Hence, at that time, the military was also involved in agriculture, with no need for additional expenses to support the military. Agriculture was military, and there was practical training in warfare.”

Looking at this article, Fang Xiaoru’s brow furrowed.

In the past, Fang Xiaoru would have readily ranked this article among the top three, as its central theme was based on the military system of the Western Zhou Dynasty, emphasizing the integration of military and civilians.

Zhu Yuanzhang’s establishment of the “Wei Suo” system was modeled after the military system of the Western Zhou.

It’s evident that this candidate admires the “Wei Suo” system and supports its implementation.

Fang Xiaoru couldn’t determine whether this candidate was unaware of the government’s decision to abolish the “Wei Suo” system in Beiping Prefecture or if he knew about it and still expressed such sentiments.

If he was unaware, it indicated a lack of concern for national affairs, which was undesirable.

If he knew and still wrote in favor of the “Wei Suo” system, it suggested resistance against the government’s policies, criticizing the emperor’s governance and advocating for a correction, continuing to strengthen the “Wei Suo” system.

In either case, this person was unable to keep up with the changes in the imperial policies.

Fang Xiaoru had harbored concerns for a long time, and finally, he picked up his brush and wrote, “The frog at the bottom of the well, unaware of the current situation, desists.”

Regarding the abandonment of the “Wei Suo” system, Fang Xiaoru was initially unsupportive, but instead of outright opposition, the changing Fang Xiaoru decided to personally investigate.

He visited a coastal “Wei Suo” and found soldiers either wielding hoes, futilely trying to cultivate barren land, or chasing after pigs like bandits on a hunt, reveling in it.

These were farmers, not soldiers!

Fang Xiaoru felt a pang of heartache as he approached the commander of the “Wei Suo” unit. Upon learning it was an imperial visit, the commander, with a protruding belly, greasily greeted him, in order to show their supposed poverty, he even prepared an extremely simple meal.

It seemed that, even with vegetables and radishes, they could be like ten month pregnant woman.

Fang Xiaoru had seen commanders with robust physiques, observed moderately prosperous centurions, and witnessed skeletal soldiers.

This was the military-civilian integration he advocated.

In reality, it was nothing like what the books described. It wasn’t a case of tilling the land during peacetime and charging into battle when needed.

With the heavy, lumbering strides of the commanders and centurions, could they still charge into battle?

Their vigor might have already waned.

Fang Xiaoru realized his mistake. The world depicted in books had too many assumptions and self-righteousness.

Reality was not entirely as described in the books.

Believe in books, or better yet, believe in none.

People needed to form their own judgments, use their own perspectives to discover, understand, and evaluate the world.

Fang Xiaoru shifted his attitude. The “Wei Suo” system was only suitable for simple transitions and localized settlements, absolutely unsuitable for long-term and large-scale existence.

It was precisely due to this realization that Fang Xiaoru set aside this eloquent article.

Empty talk leads to a misguided nation.

Fang Xiaoru is loyal to the emperor, loyal to Ming, and if he is to choose scholars, he will choose elites!

On the banks of the Qinhuai River.

Hu Jing, Wang Gen, and Li Guan stood at the bow of the boat, quietly waiting. Before long, Jin Youzi and Yang Rong approached.

Jin Youzi introduced, “Brother Hu, Brother Wang, Brother Li, this is Yang Rong from Jianning Prefecture, Yang Mianren. Brothers, this is Hu Jing, Wang Gen, and Li Guan, all from Jiangxi’s Ji’an Prefecture.”

Yang Rong solemnly bowed and sighed, “There is a saying that a family with poetry and books, many scholars, studying in sequence, hearing the music of strings and reciting poetry… Scholars are outstanding, and literary achievements are flourishing in Jiangyou. The land of Jiangyou is most renowned in Ji’an Prefecture. Meeting the three of you today is truly a great fortune in my life.”

Hu Jing and the others, seeing Yang Rong’s natural demeanor and his knowledge of Jiangxi, couldn’t help but feel a sense of goodwill.

“Brother Yang, please take the seat inside.”

Hu Jing invited with a smile.

“I dare not, Brother Hu, please.”

Yang Rong politely declined.

After three rounds of courtesy, Hu Jing entered the boat, and the boat set sail, drifting along the river.

Li Guan filled the wine, and Yang Rong quickly stood up. After expressing his gratitude, he asked, “I heard that Dongjia School is in Jiangyou. I wonder if you have visited it?”

Hu Jing and the others looked at each other, showing a proud look in their eyes.

Chen’s Dongjia School, this is the pride of Jiangxi people. It pioneered the establishment of private academies.

The school was founded during the period of Emperor Xizong of the Tang Dynasty, flourished during the period of Emperor Li Sheng of the Southern Tang Dynasty, and prospered during the period from Emperor Taizu to Emperor Renzong of the Northern Song Dynasty. It even had stories of the “Eight Heroes and Nine Talented Scholars” and the “Three Jinshi on the Same List.”

Li Guan spoke frankly, “Dongjia Shu Tang is in De’an County, Jiangxi. Although we have not personally visited, we know a little about its teachings.”

“Can you share more?”

Yang Rong was somewhat expectant.

It should be noted that this school is not open to the public. It can be said to be the family school of the Chen family. Those who enter the school are often Chen’s descendants or close relatives. The teaching is kept secret, and it is not easily disclosed.

Li Guan smiled and slowly said, “The family school advocates teaching without discrimination, emphasizing merit and ability, punishing evil, and promoting good as the foundation. It aims to restore the righteous wind, glorify the ancestors, and take this as its foundation.”

Jin Youzi raised his cup, “I have also heard some. Chen advocates that when the children are fostered, they should first choose a teacher. At the age of eleven or twelve, they should study the rites and morals under a famous teacher. If the aptitude is outstanding and clear, they will focus on teaching. If the aptitude is average, they will still be educated to understand reasoning and morality, and to dispel the thoughts of cruelty and laziness. The family education is passed down from generation to generation.”

Yang Rong sighed after hearing it, and after clinking glasses with everyone, he said, “Jiangxi’s literary prosperity exceeds that of De’an. Brothers, you will surely achieve success and allow me to toast you.”

After refilling the wine, Wang Gen asked, “Brother Yang, do you have any observations on the changes in the court?”

“I don’t know what Brother Wang is referring to?”

Yang Rong asked modestly.

Wang Gen solemnly said, “It’s about various new policies. Nowadays, the capital changes every day, with novel things that are both amazing and disturbing. For example, those bookstores and book stalls, where various studies are mixed together, letting people choose without distinguishing right from wrong. Isn’t there a hidden danger?”

“Speaking of bookstores, I specially went to Zhonghua Bookstore yesterday. The hottest seller there is surprisingly ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms,’ not the Four Books and Five Classics. If this continues for a long time, in the future, the common people may only know about the Three Kingdoms and not know about Confucius.”

Hu Jing sighed.

Jin Youzi frowned, “Is the sale of ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ still hot at Zhonghua Bookstore? I remember that Liu’s Bookstore printed versions a while ago, attracting people’s attention, and Zhonghua Bookstore has become much quieter.”

Hu Jing laughed and pointed to Jin Youzi, saying, “Look, it’s because of people like you, rushing in and attracting countless people, that the bookstore is making a fortune. How can such popular novels be considered mainstream?”

Yang Rong took the book handed over by Jin Youzi, unfolded it, and couldn’t help but be amazed.

In this latest version of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” there are many illustrations depicting the exciting parts of the book. The combination of illustrations and text, and the text complementing the illustrations, is vivid and spectacular.

“I also want to buy a set of these books.”

Jin Youzi couldn’t put it down.

Hu Jing pointed at Jin Youzi helplessly and said, “Look, it’s people like you, rushing to it, attracting countless people, and making the bookstore profitable. With such popular novels, how can they be considered mainstream?”

After receiving the book that Jin Youzi handed over, Yang Rong looked at a few pages and smiled, “Brother Hu, I actually think this is a good thing.”

“Oh, how so?”

Hu Jing and others looked at Yang Rong somewhat unexpectedly.

Yang Rong closed the book, solemnly said, “Readers are not just us scholars. Let’s discuss three points. Firstly, the capital is flourishing with literature and changing trends; secondly, the people in the capital are wealthy and generous in buying books; thirdly, scholars and commoners reading books can distinguish right from wrong. For example, this Three Kingdoms text also has the purpose of educating the common people. Isn’t benevolence, righteousness, and loyalty also important themes?”

“Moreover, although the Four Books and Five Classics emphasize education, they are ultimately obscure and difficult to understand. Even after studying diligently for twenty or thirty years, we are still confused. If we force the common people to study ‘Analects’ and ‘Spring and Autumn,’ oh, don’t you worry that, with only half-understood knowledge, the people will misunderstand the words of the sages? Therefore, what the people read should be simple and clear, without being too harsh and emphasizing the articles on Confucianism.”

After hearing this, Hu Jing and others thought for a while, then got up and saluted solemnly.

Hu Jing said, “Today I heard Brother Yang’s insightful views, and I suddenly enlightened. We only use the eyes of scholars to measure the world, but forget to measure the difficulty from the hearts of the common

 people. Thank you for the enlightenment.”

Author PS:

The first update is here. There are two more later. I promise to fulfill the daily quota. Please vote for monthly tickets, recommend votes, and urge more. Thank you for your support.