My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 419 What to do if Master Su didn't teach you?
But after hearing Su Ze's explanation, Gao Gong began to have doubts again.

His envisioned Practical Learning Society was an official institution for promoting practical learning, similar to the Bureau of Classical Studies established during Wang Anshi's reforms.

But after listening to Su Ze's detailed explanation, why does it feel different from what I imagined?

Gao Gong asked:

"What exactly is the purpose of this Practical Learning Society, which is neither an official nor an academic institution?"

Su Ze said:

"Prime Minister, the establishment of the Royal Academy of Practical Learning serves two purposes. First, it demonstrates His Majesty and the Crown Prince's emphasis on practical learning, thus solidifying its position!"

Gao Gong nodded.

Politics is about titles and status.

In particular, the establishment of an institution can make the people understand the direction of the imperial court.

The addition of the word "Royal" before "Scientific Learning Society" demonstrates the importance that the royal family placed on practical learning.

Now that the royal family values ​​practical learning, the people of the world have a new direction to strive for.

But the actual learning was still different from what I had imagined!

Gao Gong then asked:
"According to Zilin's standards, medicine, agriculture, industry, commerce, mathematics, and natural sciences—anything that benefits the country—can be included in this Royal Practical Learning Society."

"Wouldn't this make the members of the society seem like royal confidants?"

Actually, Gao Gong was being very polite.

If it were any other minister, they would probably think that Su Ze had set up an institution in the palace specifically to flatter the Crown Prince, using the latest and most ingenious tricks to amuse him.

In any case, it was still the scholar-officials who held power in the court.

Scholars, having risen through the ranks via the imperial examinations based on the Four Books and Five Classics, instinctively sought to monopolize imperial power and eliminate "outsiders" from the emperor's inner circle.

This "outsider" could be a nobleman, a eunuch, or a Taoist priest; nowadays, it could also be a member of these practical learning societies.

Su Ze smiled and said:

"Prime Minister, you are overthinking it. This Practical Learning Society is not about showing off your fancy skills to Your Highness, but about practical matters that truly benefit the country."

Immediately afterwards, Su Ze pulled out a list of candidates for members of the Practical Learning Society.

Gao Gong took it and looked at it, and his doubts disappeared.

Su Ze nominated the following people on this list.

Pan Jixun, a water conservancy expert and Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.

Huang Ji, a mathematician, astronomer, and Junior Historian of the Imperial Observatory.

Li Shizhen, a physician and Imperial Physician.

Upon seeing these candidates, Gao Gong's brows relaxed.

Pan Jixun was a typical scholar-official, only he was a water conservancy expert on a "part-time" basis.

Huang Ji was the same; he was originally a Hanlin scholar and a lecturer to the Crown Prince, a true "insider" with impeccable credentials.

The last one is Li Shizhen, but doctors are not discriminated against in Confucianism, and many scholars also work as doctors.

Li Shizhen fought against the epidemic and disaster in the south, and later stabilized the emperor's condition. Being a member of the Practical Learning Society was nothing special.

The next name made Gao Gong frown.

Tao Guan, a Taoist priest, served as a court attendant in the Eastern Palace.

This is a typical close advisor, Su Ze said:
"Prime Minister, many of the industries in the Eastern Palace today were created by this Tao Daizhao, including the technology for extracting dyes from calcium carbide, fertilizer powder, and tar. He invented all of these technologies."

His high-arched eyebrows relaxed slightly.

Tao Guan was not an alchemist who refined elixirs for the Crown Prince. His inventions were indeed beneficial to the Ming Dynasty. Gao Gong had also heard of the inventions that Su Ze mentioned.

Needless to say, fertilizer powder can increase farmland yields, so it's no exaggeration to call it a national treasure.

Calcium carbide can be used to make calcium carbide lamps, which are used in many underground coal mines. Moreover, the gas produced by calcium carbide can melt some metals when burned, which is used by craftsmen to cut and weld metals, greatly improving the level of the metal products industry.

The new dyes made clothes more vibrant and wouldn't fade after washing, making them popular among the general public.

These achievements also brought substantial profits to the shops in the Eastern Palace, so Tao Guan could be considered a member of the Royal Society.

Gao Gong continued reading.

Zhou Xiang, a mathematician, astronomer, chief instructor of the Society for Research in Chinese Architecture, and an official of the Imperial Observatory.

Officials of the Imperial Observatory were also considered civil officials. When Zhou Xiang was at the Academy of Architecture, he was impartial and selfless, and resolutely refused to let those eunuchs and officials of the Ministry of Works who were not up to standard graduate. He also had a good reputation among civil officials.

During this period, Zhou Xiang also assisted Huang Ji in revising the calendar. His predictions of celestial phenomena were incredibly accurate, earning him several commendations from the emperor.

This candidate is also fine.

But when asked about the next candidate, Gao Gong frowned again.

Li Wei, an agronomist and Earl of Wuqing.

Li Wei, the Earl of Wuqing, had a very bad reputation among civil officials.

Greedy, stingy, rude and vulgar.

However, Su Ze's nomination is also not a problem. When it comes to farming, who in the entire capital can compare to Wu Qingbo, who just won the grain planting competition?
Gao Gong also attached great importance to agriculture, and the high yield per mu of Wuqing Botianzhuang shocked everyone.

If all the land under heaven could produce the output of the Marquis of Wuqing, what would the Ming Dynasty look like?
Of course, this is just wishful thinking. Every piece of land is different, the climate and weather are different, and the yield varies greatly.

However, Wu Qingbo also explained that with superb agricultural techniques and the technological support of fertilizer powder, the yield per mu can reach a level that was previously unimaginable!
With Su Ze's breeding technology, the yield per mu in Daming can definitely be further improved.

It wouldn't be a problem for Wu Qingbo, an agricultural expert, to be nominated for the Practical Learning Society.

"The selection is not a problem for now," Su Ze said.

"Prime Minister, the Practical Learning Society is of great importance. Therefore, I believe that in the future, any new members to be added to the Practical Learning Society must be nominated by officials of the fifth rank or above in the capital and recommended by the Cabinet. Only after His Majesty's approval can they be selected."

Upon hearing this, Gao Gong's brows completely relaxed.

As long as the power of recommendation remains in the hands of civil officials, the Practical Learning Society will not spiral out of control.

However, after weighing the options, Gao Gong decided to mobilize his resources to push for the passage of this memorial.

The mere mention of the six characters "Royal Academy of Practical Learning" is enough to demonstrate the emperor's support for practical learning.

As for what this Practical Learning Society actually does, most people don't really care.

Gao Gong said:

"You should submit a memorial to the emperor as soon as possible, and I will take charge of this matter."

Gao Gong looked at Su Ze, intending to ask him to pay more attention to practical academic matters.

But Gao Gong swallowed his words back before he could say them.

Isn't Su Ze promoting practical learning?

But why is this actual learning different from what I imagined?

Gao Gong opened his mouth, but still didn't say anything.

There was no way around it; Su Ze was different from the other disciples.

The other disciples all received favors from him to varying degrees when they entered officialdom, and they all benefited from his status as a disciple, both overtly and covertly, in their career advancement.

But Su Ze is different.

Su Ze was not promoted further because the rules of officialdom determined his upper limit, and the emperor could not promote him.

It's not that he could only hold the rank of fourth grade. Just like a classmate who gets a perfect score of 100 on a test, it's because the test only has 100 points.

Since entering officialdom, Su Ze's every promotion has been due to his own efforts, and his achievements are the result of writing several memorials to the emperor every month.

Even now in official circles, Su Ze is referred to as the Shadow Grand Secretary.

Gao Gong looked at Su Ze, and he also felt something was off. It seemed that he had always regarded Su Ze as a political ally, rather than a disciple.

Enough, Gao Gong decided to give up on thinking about it.

Whether in academia or politics, Su Ze is undoubtedly his successor.

Su Ze looked at Gao Gong and finally said:
“Prime Minister, you still need to keep a close eye on the palace these days.”

Gao Gong understood what Su Ze meant.

Although the emperor's condition has improved, the situation remains unstable.

Su Ze was reminding himself to pay close attention to developments within the palace.

Gao Gong said solemnly:
"I will keep an eye on things inside the palace."

Having said that, Su Ze could only hope that Gao Gong had truly taken it to heart.
-
After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Su Ze submitted a memorial entitled "Requesting the Establishment of the Royal Practical Learning Society".

——[Simulation Start]——

The memorial requesting the establishment of the Royal Practical Learning Society was sent to the Cabinet.

After you consulted with Gao Gong, Gao Gong strongly supported your memorial, but it was opposed by Zhao Zhenji and Yin Shidan, ministers who advocated the philosophy of mind.

In order to weaken Gao Gong's authority, Zhang Juzheng also voiced his opposition.

The opposition within the cabinet was too great, and despite Gao Gong and his disciples' best efforts to support it, it still failed to pass.

Crown Prince Zhu Yijun offered his full support in the palace, but was suppressed by Consort Li.

Emperor Longqing could only keep your memorial in the end.

——[Simulation End]——

[Remaining Prestige: 1900.]

[To approve your memorial, you need to pay 200 prestige points. Do you wish to pay?]

Sure enough, with Gao Gong's support, the required prestige points were reduced considerably.

If it only takes 200 prestige points to accomplish something like this, Su Ze thinks it's worth it.

Moreover, practical learning has gained influence in the court and among the public, especially in departments that value practical matters, such as the Ministry of Works. The establishment of such a Royal Society of Practical Learning can also give many technical officials new goals.

There are only so many leadership positions available, and not everyone is suited to navigating the bureaucracy.

The name "member of the Royal Academy of Practical Learning" sounds extremely prestigious.

If this memorial is approved, I might even gain more prestige points, so overall it's definitely not a loss.

With that in mind, Su Ze decisively chose "yes".

[Prestige points have been deducted, leaving 1700 prestige points. Please complete the memorial as soon as possible and await its effect.]

Su Ze submitted his memorial through the Ministry of Justice, and the Mid-Autumn Festival was just around the corner.

This Mid-Autumn Festival, the Su family also had a happy event: Su's wife, Zhao Lingxian, became pregnant again.

If Su Ze were to become so powerful, his door would be overflowing with people wanting to give him gifts.

Su Ze only revealed the news to a few relatives and friends. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, several friends brought their families to Su Ze's residence to offer their congratulations and also spent a reunion festival at Su Ze's residence.

In addition to Shen Yiguan, Luo Wanhua, and Shen Shixing, Huang Ji, who had just returned to Beijing, was also invited to this gathering by Su Ze.

In addition, Su Ze also invited Wang Renzhong, the outer city patrol censor, and Shen Zao, who had just been promoted to supervising censor.

Unfortunately, the two were originally good friends, but now Shen Zao was in charge of supervising the police inside and outside the capital, so it was not appropriate for him to be too close to Wang Renzhong, who was the outer city patrol censor.

Therefore, both of them politely declined Su Ze's invitation, but sent him congratulatory gifts instead.

These are considered the core members of the so-called "Soviet Party".

After the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Su Ze's memorial was sent to the cabinet.

As expected, this memorial was met with strong opposition from ministers of the School of Mind.

As Su Ze had predicted, the name of the Royal Society of Practical Learning greatly influenced the School of Mind, which was tantamount to emphasizing the official academic status of the School of Practical Learning.

They didn't even care what the society was about or who its main members were.

The master of Neo-Confucianism, Zhao Zhenji, even wrote a vehement letter opposing this.

Another Minister of Education in the cabinet, Yin Shidan, also opposed the idea, along with Zhao Zhenji, and the cabinet's attention turned to Zhang Juzheng.

Zhang Juzheng was originally opposed to it.

This is a good opportunity to suppress Gao Gong's prestige. Moreover, the situation is so favorable this time. Zhao Zhenji and Yin Shidan have joined forces to oppose him. As long as I also oppose him, given the emperor's current situation, he will probably support the cabinet's opinion.

In Zhang Juzheng's view, it was unwise for Gao Gong to have gotten into this mess with Yin Shidan for the sake of "academics".

Now the cabinet is once again in a state of infighting. Gao Gong's removal of Lei Li from the cabinet has not resulted in an overwhelming majority. On the contrary, in recent cabinet meetings, Gao Gong has acted arbitrarily, severely offending Zhao Zhenji and Yin Shidan.

Zhang Juzheng only needed to maintain his stance to let them continue arguing.

But this time he spoke up:
"Gentlemen, in my opinion, what you are arguing about is not the Practical Learning Society itself, but the word 'royal'."

"Whether or not to add the royal family is a matter for the imperial family. Our cabinet should not submit a proposal. We should ask His Majesty to make the final decision."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhenji and Yin Shidan also temporarily shut their mouths.

Gao Gong glanced at Zhang Juzheng, not understanding why this old political enemy would suddenly help him.

Zhang Juzheng's words reached Zhao Zhenji's ears.

Considering that this matter might not pass in the palace, and unwilling to completely offend Gao Gong, Zhao Zhenji agreed with Zhang Juzheng's opinion.

The cabinet ultimately reached a consensus to send the proposed opinions directly to the palace without drafting them.
-
Su Ze's memorial was sent to the palace.

These days, when the Longqing Emperor handles state affairs, he takes Xiao Pangjun with him.

Even these days, the Longqing Emperor would first have Xiao Pangjun handle the memorials before making his own decision.

Thanks to Su Ze's years of education, Xiao Pangjun also handles government affairs in a very methodical and meticulous manner.

He kept in mind Su Ze's motto: "The cabinet listens to the cabinet most of the time, and the Directorate of Ceremonial can question the approvals without making any changes."

If the cabinet holds a majority opinion, the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs generally will not object, which means that the cabinet and the court have reached a consensus. In such cases, the emperor usually will not object.

If the imperial edict from the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs did not meet Zhu Yijun's expectations, he would not revise it; instead, he would summon the chief eunuch in charge of the edict to inquire.

This is because the three chief officials of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs were the ones who understood the emperor's wishes best, and their imperial edicts were basically in line with the emperor's desires.

If Xiao Pangjun directly objects, it might go against the emperor's wishes. In this case, it's better to have a eunuch from the Directorate of Ceremonial explain the situation so that Xiao Pangjun can better understand the emperor's thoughts.

The Longqing Emperor was very satisfied with this system and issued an edict before the Mid-Autumn Festival to reward the entire Imperial Household Department.

But today, Xiao Pangjun encountered a special memorial.

The cabinet did not draft a proposal, nor did the Directorate of Ceremonial approve it.

Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Master Su's memorial to the throne.

Little Fatty Jun was about to cry. Master Su, what are we going to do about your memorial to the throne?
(End of this chapter)