Chapter 90: Drawbacks of Bureaucratic Development Institution

The Imperial Academy, the highest educational institution of the Ming Dynasty.

Regarding the establishment of the Imperial Academy, Zhu Yuanzhang might not have had the mindset of “a hundred-year plan based on education,” but rather it was out of necessity.

The Ming Dynasty had conquered the world through military might, but ruling the realm with force alone was not sustainable.

Most of those who followed Zhu Yuanzhang to conquer the world were uneducated commoners, illiterate and unable to write official documents. Using them to govern the country, wouldn’t that be too challenging?

To govern a country effectively, bureaucrats are needed, and these bureaucrats must be literate. Those who can read and write are collectively referred to as literati. This is also why in many dynasties, as they developed, there emerged a phenomenon known as the “rise of culture and decline of military.”

Those who hold positions and provide ideas are often literati. As a rough and uncultured person, even if you have achieved military feats, you cannot compare to the influence of literati with their words and eloquence.

The problem is that Zhu Yuanzhang had a limited number of literati at his disposal. So, he brought over surviving former officials from the Yuan Dynasty, but that wasn’t enough. What could he do? He had to resort to appointing educated individuals who had never held official positions before.

However, these educated individuals also had concerns. During the early Ming Dynasty, the Northern Yuan was still a threat, and the stability of Zhu Yuanzhang’s rule was uncertain. They worried that hastily entering official positions, What if the Mongols launched another attack? That would likely result in retribution for their actions.

Zhu Yuanzhang invited them, but they stubbornly refused to come, infuriating old Zhu.

Fine, you won’t come, huh?

If you won’t serve as officials, then I’ll have you killed. Let’s see if you’ll come after that.

It’s truly a severe shortage of talent. Zhu Yuanzhang was at his wit’s end; he even enlisted granary officials into the bureaucracy, but that still wasn’t enough. This group of literati was causing him even more trouble.

With no other options left, Zhu Yuanzhang had to simultaneously promote the imperial examination system while establishing his own new bureaucracy.

And this new institution for bureaucratic training is known as Imperial Academy.

The Imperial Academy originally called the Imperial School, initially had no fixed location and conducted teachings in the main hall of the imperial palace. Later, Zhu Yuanzhang established the Imperial School to the south of Jiming Mountain. In the 15th year of the Hongwu era, it was officially transformed into the Imperial Academy.

To the Eastern of Imperial Academy is a small training ground, extending to the Yingling street(?)^[1]Tl’s note: 英灵坊 in the west, reaching the City Slope Earthen Mound in the north, and spanning to the Pearl Bridge in the south. To the left, there is Longzhou Mountain, and to the right, there is Jiming Mountain. In the north lies Xuanwu Lake, and in the south, the Pearl River flows. Stretching for ten miles, the lights shine in harmony, portraying a vivid depiction of the grandeur of the early Ming Dynasty Imperial Academy

In the early Ming Dynasty, the Imperial Academy did indeed nurture a group of talents that could be utilized. However, this does not mean that the Imperial Academy was flawless.

Zhu Yunwen was aware of the significant issues in traditional education of ancient times, particularly the problems within the official school education during the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, he chose Xu Miaojin, a woman, to enter the Imperial Academy, which in itself was a silent confrontation and challenge to traditional official education.

Xu Miaojin lived up to Emperor Zhu Yunwen’s trust. She not only established her presence in the Imperial Academy but also garnered support from a large group of students by using the matter of the ‘national flag, national emblem, and national anthem’ as a foundation of the state.

After several months of observation and contemplation, Xu Miaojin completed the essay ‘Ten Major Ills of the Imperial Academy.’

Zhu Yunwen carefully read through each point, reaching the end of the document. He then looked back and reviewed it again, rereading it three times before finally raising his head to look at Xu Miaojin. He earnestly said, “This memorial should be recorded in the annals of history!”

Xu Miaojin smiled warmly and, holding onto Zhu Wenkui, walked towards Zhu Yunwen, asking, “Does this count as recognition and praise from the brother Emperor?”

Zhu Yunwen nodded seriously and said, “You have achieved great merit for the Ming Dynasty! These ten major ills of the Imperial Academy are exceedingly sharp, directly addressing the essence of the matter. In the future, with reforms and flourishing talents, you shall be recognized as a key contributor.”

Xu Miaojin’s face lit up with a radiant smile, brimming with joy.

After a few months of observation and contemplation, Xu Miaojin completed the memorandum ‘Ten Major Ills of the Imperial Academy.’

Zhu Yunwen lowered his head again and silently marveled at Xu Miaojin’s unique insights and acuity. After folding the memorandum, he said, “You stay here with the Empress. I need to discuss matters regarding the Imperial Academy with the Grand Secretariat and the Ministry of Rites.”

“I also wish to go.” Xu Miaojin quickly said.

Ma Enhui held onto Xu Miaojin, detaining her, and said, “You’ve finally had the opportunity to enter the palace. Today, you are not allowed to go anywhere.”

Zhu Yunwen looked at Xu Miaojin’s pitiful expression and felt quite content.

Wu Ying Hall.

Grand Secretariat’s Yu Xin, Xie Jin, Zhang Dan, and the Minister of Rites, Chen Di, along with Hanlin attendant Yao Guangxiao, sat on both sides. After reviewing the memorandum ‘Ten Major Ills of the Imperial Academy,’ Chen Di returned the document and said, “Your Majesty, this memorandum indeed strikes at the heart of the issues within the Imperial Academy. However, some viewpoints are too biased, with aspects that are both valid and invalid.”

Zhu Yunwen lightly tapped the table with his fingers and asked, “What are the aspects that you find invalid, Minister Chen?”

Chen Di solemnly replied, “The memorandum mentions that the content taught in the Imperial Academy is currently limited to the Four Books, Five Classics, and relevant laws and regulations. It suggests expanding the curriculum to encompass agriculture, commerce, craftsmanship, and military affairs. With all due respect, the Imperial Academy is intended for selecting officials for the court, and its curriculum should align with the content of the imperial examinations. Expanding the curriculum without proper consideration will only burden the students.”

“Are you suggesting that students do not need to study knowledge beyond the Four Books and Five Classics?” Zhu Yunwen asked gently, with a hint of disappointment in his gaze.

Chen Di candidly responded, “Your Majesty, the schedules of the academy’s students are already full, leaving no time for additional studies.”

Zhu Yunwen closed his eyes slightly.

Speaking of the civil service examinations of later times, it was a competition where thousands trampled upon thousands. But who could have imagined that the education of the Ming Dynasty imperial examinations and official schools was even more examination-oriented, perhaps tens of times more so than the later civil service examinations!

To be clear, the imperial examinations tested the Four Books and Five Classics, and nothing beyond this scope was considered.

From the age of three, children memorized these few books. Any extracurricular reading was considered miscellaneous studies and not considered orthodox. What purpose would it serve?

Do they want to become walking encyclopedias?

Countless scholars of the Ming Dynasty, with their heads hanging and bodies bent over, struggled through their studies to unlock the mysteries of these books.

If you asked them how to respond to disasters, they would shake their heads, clueless. If you asked them what to do if they couldn’t fulfill the court’s mission, they would say they’d rather die with honor and find a place to end their lives.

Lacking adaptability, overly rigid, full of benevolence and virtue, yet utterly devoid of practical solutions.

This was the common malady of countless scholars!

The reason for these problems was that these individuals had been trapped in the Four Books and Five Classics for decades, never opening up their minds.

Why did Zhu Yunwen favor Xie Jin?

Because Xie Jin was adept at finding alternatives and had foresight.

Why did Zhu Yunwen value Yao Guangxiao?

Because this person had a wide range of knowledge, a lively mind, and many ideas.

There was also Yang Shiqi, recommended by Fang Xiaoru, a future member of the Cabinet whom Zhu Yunwen highly esteemed. Even though Yang Shiqi’s studies were rooted in the Four Books and Five Classics, he had roamed the world for a dozen or so years, dabbling in both the lawful and unlawful, understanding changes, and solving many problems.

But when you looked at the court, how many people truly understood adaptation?

Their adaptation was often a shift in position, not a change in thinking or ideology.

Even high-ranking officials like the Minister of Rites couldn’t recognize the problem of the Imperial Academy solely teaching the Four Books and Five Classics, and some even opposed the idea of adding other subjects. Could you really expect the old scholars of the Imperial Academy to accept this?

“Master Yao, what’s your opinion?” Zhu Yunwen opened his eyes and looked at Yao Guangxiao.

Yao Guangxiao stopped twirling his prayer beads and gazed at Zhu Yunwen, saying, “Your Majesty, the Imperial Academy teaches only the Four Books and Five Classics, which has its limitations. In my view, the teachings of the Four Books and Five Classics do not need to mimic the teachings of sages day and night. Instead, they should serve as auxiliary teachings, molding personal character and promoting an understanding of propriety, loyalty, and trust. Other subjects can be introduced in the Imperial Academy, focusing on the students’ experience in governance, matching talents with virtues – that’s the correct path.”

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