I was compiling the daily records during the Wanli reign

Chapter 43 Famous Scene! Shen Nian’s Discipline Lesson (Part )

Imperial College, front courtyard.

Shen Nian ignored the sharp gazes of the teachers and students below.

"Next, I will talk about the issue of the Imperial College. Please listen to my opinion on whether I am right or wrong. If I make any mistakes, you can refute me!"

Hearing this, the teachers and students of the Imperial College puffed out their chests.

Debate is their forte.

"Currently, the Imperial College's teaching is sluggish, and the academic atmosphere is low. The main reason is that many instructors believe that 'the best will enter officialdom, and the worst will remain students.' Some are constantly thinking about relocation, while others are solely focused on private studies, spending three years on a single lecture note, only to be punished by copying, memorizing, and using a ruler, and then blaming the students for their incompetence!"

Hearing this, some students nodded involuntarily.

"As for the students, some indulge in leisure, some empty talk about serving the country, and some just drift with the tide. Some, because their families are wealthy and their futures are already arranged, do not study; some know that their talents are shallow and it is difficult for them to pass the imperial examination, so they do not study; some boast of their noble character and believe that they have extraordinary talents, but the imperial examination questions are rigid, so they do not study..."

Some teachers nodded involuntarily.

"The Imperial College has become so miserable today because the teachers don't teach attentively, and the students don't study attentively. Everyone is guilty!"

These words made everyone stare at Shen Nian.

Swish!
A gray-haired instructor stood up.

"That's nonsense! I, Bai Luzheng, have never hidden anything when I teach. Even though my teaching materials are not new, I have devoted my wholehearted attention to the teaching and have never missed a class. No one has the right to accuse me of not teaching with my heart."

Bai Lu was holding his chest high and looking at Shen Nian with his chin down, looking very angry.

Shen Nian looked at him.

"Dr. Bai is an excellent lecturer on the Five Classics, but the students don't like to listen. As far as I know, the students taught by Dr. Bai have almost always scored last in the exams over the past three years. Is this true?"

Bai Luzheng's face flushed, and he said, "Well...it's because they don't want to learn. What does it have to do with me?"

"Don't you want to learn? A teacher should teach by example. Doctor Bai, you appear glamorous in public, talking about classics, but in private, you maintain a troupe of actors in your inner chambers, concubines in your outer chambers, and live a life of luxury every night. I wonder if you want your students to learn from your daytime talk or your evening pleasures?"

"You...you...you...can't you talk about other people's private affairs? This has nothing to do with official business!"

"It has nothing to do with the official business! But you are in the Imperial College. Your first identity is a teacher, and your second identity is an official. If you don't teach first, how can you let the students learn?" Shen Nian suddenly raised his voice.

Bai Lu opened his mouth to speak, but suddenly stopped talking.

There were many officials in the capital who kept opera troupes and mistresses, and the court tacitly approved of it, so it was not considered a crime.

However, from the perspective of a teacher, he did go against the words of the sages, saying one thing and doing another.

At this time, another instructor came out.

"Shen, I advise you to be more virtuous. You have a bright future in the Imperial Academy, so why won't you allow us to pursue a career in government?"

"Who wouldn't want to hold an important position? Who wouldn't want to serve as a ruler like Yao and Shun, and accomplish something truly remarkable? When I was young, I also considered it my duty to uphold the country. However, now, I'm confined to a school and can only teach. In my spare time, I write at home, and it doesn't interfere with my official duties. What's wrong with that?"

"If I were to become a Hanlin official, I would serve the public day and night and put my personal preferences aside!"

Shen Nian shook his head slightly.

"You've got it wrong! It's not that one becomes devoted to public service after entering the Imperial Academy, but rather that one becomes able to enter the Imperial Academy after dedicating oneself to public service. Like all of you, I also studied diligently, from Jinshi to Ruguan (a scholar-official), and have come this far step by step."

"Not everyone can become an official in the six ministries, and not everyone who joins the cabinet can do a good job. If anyone feels that they are a talented person who has been missed, they can apply for a transfer to a local prefecture or county to make some achievements. This is the way to become an official!"

"Today, I am giving a lecture on the orders of the cabinet. I am very happy for those who listen to me. For those who don't listen to me, I don't want to lecture them, but rather persuade them to leave!"

"If any of you are tired of teaching and have no ability to govern, I suggest you retire as soon as possible. A mere figurehead in your current position will only lead to a tragic end. Don't work hard for half your life only to lose your integrity in your later years!"

Suddenly, many teachers felt guilty.

According to their rank, after retirement, not only will they not receive a pension, but their rights to exemption from military service and tax will also be greatly reduced.

Of course I don’t want to retreat!

"Assistant Professor Wang, if you want to be a court official, I suggest you change your 'Golden Lotus Drinking' habit first. Otherwise, the impeachment memorials from the censors will be like sharp knives!"

The instructor who had spoken up was surprised that Shen Nian recognized him even without announcing his name. Knowing his hobby of "Golden Lotus Drinking," he could not help but stand back and lower his head. Golden Lotus Drinking, also known as "Prostitute Shoe Drinking," involves drinking from a prostitute's embroidered shoes, preferably freshly removed, with a hint of flavor, as wine glasses.

Such filthy behavior is regarded as elegant by many literati.

In fact, most of the Jinyiwei knew what the instructors did in private, and some of the things were even drawn into paintings according to the method that Zhu Yuanzhang had used.

There are so many dirty things!
If there is a real punishment, not only will the Imperial College be shut down, but the entire Ming Dynasty court will probably be shut down.

In such a world, it is as difficult as climbing to heaven to remain noble.

The reason why Shen Nian told this story was to make an example of him and alert the academic officials of the world.

If a teacher does not observe moral conduct, how can he teach others?

……

Followed by.

Shen Nian scolded several instructors so much that they wished they could find a hole to crawl into.

After about a quarter of an hour, all the teachers became quiet.

Hiding from Shen Nian's gaze was like a student who had done something wrong hiding from his teacher.

Shen Nian knew all of their faults, and what he said was the truth. How could they argue?

There is not even an opportunity to debate the way to govern the country.

A blacksmith must be strong himself, but none of them could be strong enough.

Shen Nian slowed down.

Seeing that no instructor stood up again, he immediately began to summarize using the words in the admonition draft.

"Teachers, many people talk about farming, but few actually hold the plow. What's the point of indulging in empty thoughts and chasing after empty fame?"

"If you enjoy teaching, then delve into your studies, strive for innovation, and stop dreaming of high office and generous salaries!"

"If you want high office and generous salary, you should observe the people's sentiments, learn about government affairs, and work tirelessly to learn how to enrich the country and its people!"

"If you wish to write a book, please establish your moral character first. If you speak out in a blatant and irresponsible way, you will only harm the country and the people if you discuss state affairs without authorization."

"If your heart is set on the countryside and you enjoy wine, women and delicious food, it would be better for you to abdicate and return home..."

If these words came out of Shen Nian's mouth, they would not have caused much harm, but there were three elders standing behind him.

This is just a warning.

If you know your mistake but don't change, you may be beaten with a stick in the court or even dismissed from your post next time.

this moment.

Zhang Juzheng looked relaxed and slowly stroked his beautiful beard.

He admired Shen Nian's fearlessness. If all the young officials in the court were like Shen Nian, he wouldn't be so tired!

Lu Diaoyang and Zhang Siwei were also very satisfied with Shen Nian's performance.

This kind of admonition is suitable for officials of Shen Nian's level.

Shen Nian held a similar position to them, but he was younger, more talented, and more promising. He reprimanded them in a teacher's tone, making the reprimand more insulting and damaging.

If the ministers come to reprimand you, if the words are too light, it will be useless; if the words are too heavy, you will be beaten with a stick or even beheaded!
After dealing with these teachers, Shen Nian looked at the students and told them that he needed to use a different method to admonish them.

……

Note: Jinlian drinking: "After a while, Ximen Qing took off one of her embroidered shoes, held it in his hand, put a cup of wine in it, and played with the shoe and the cup." See Chapter 6 of "Jin Ping Mei".

(End of this chapter)