Tang Dynasty Little Godfather

Chapter 35 Strangers (Seeking monthly votes and to continue reading)

"Willing what?" Han Xiu didn't react for a moment.

Wang Shouyi said, "It means serving as my son's teacher."

Han Xiu was immediately terrified, his hair standing on end. He wanted to live a few more years, so he hurriedly waved his hand and said, "You flatter me, Duke Qi. My knowledge is still shallow, how can I be a teacher?"

Li Longji glanced at Han Xiu, found it amusing, raised his hand and gently stroked his beard with his middle finger to cover it.

"The others, like Vice Minister Han, were unwilling to take my son as their disciple."

Wang Shouyi sighed and looked around. "Perhaps in your eyes, drinking and having fun during school is incomprehensible, but for my son, it is quite rare. At least he hasn't caused any trouble outside!"

Zhang said that these words stirred feelings of sympathy in them.

Having such a rebellious son is truly a sin!
Li Longji was also somewhat moved and nodded: "I see, I can understand Shouyi's good intentions now!"

Wu Xin was anxious. Had he really been fooled? But he couldn't speak up, because if he did, the ministers would stand up and support the royal family.

Han Xiu had no intention of targeting Wang Shouyi. After a moment's thought, he said, "If it were just a relationship between your son and Wuming, as long as the Duke of Qi is willing, outsiders would not say much and it would not be brought to the court. However, Wuming Academy is recruiting many students, so this kind of education is absolutely unacceptable because it will destroy traditional education and cause very bad effects."

Li Longji nodded slightly, agreeing with what Han Xiu said.

Currently, the imperial court has not yet opened up access to private academies, and ideological education has always been highly valued by feudal dynasties. Even the more open Tang Dynasty paid attention to this aspect.

Wang Shouyi said, "Minister Han, there might be some misunderstanding here."

Han Xiu asked, "What misunderstanding?"

Wang Shouyi said: "First of all, Wuming Academy has not widely recruited students. It was only after some people learned that Mr. Wuming was good at disciplining unruly students that they took the initiative to come to him to learn. At present, Mr. Wuming is not sure whether he will accept them as students."

Secondly, Mr. Wuming was simply teaching according to aptitude. Since all his students were unruly, he used this special method. He didn't allow them to drink and make merry during school hours; however, since they were currently learning how to brew and sell wine, Mr. Wuming didn't bother with their occasional small drinks.

Yuan Qianyao couldn't help but ask curiously, "What kind of academy is this? Why do they teach brewing and selling wine? I've never heard of such a thing before."

Wang Shouyi said, "When His Majesty summoned Mr. Wuming last time, Mr. Wuming talked about his way of education, which is the Daoist way of non-action."

Li Longji nodded and said, "That's right, I also think it makes a lot of sense."

Han Xiu retorted directly: "Even inaction should be distinguished between good and evil. Drinking and making merry are bad habits, and how can they be tolerated?"

Li Longji was stunned for a moment, thinking, "What did I do to deserve this?"

At present, the ministers still hope that Li Longji can maintain the rules he set, which is to advocate frugality. So, Li Longji can't just say these things casually.

This cannot be tolerated.

Wang Shouyi said, “Minister Han, as I just said, drinking and making merry is not what Mr. Wuming asked us to do. Mr. Wuming wanted them to learn how to brew and sell wine. In the process, he taught them that when they are successful, they should help the world, and when they are unsuccessful, they should cultivate their own virtue.”

Zhang suddenly said, "I have heard of this. It is meant to teach them how to make a living, so that if they fail to enter officialdom in the future, they can make a living on their own instead of relying on their ancestors and becoming a burden on the country."

Because Zhang Jiuling was promoted by him, Zhang Jiuling told him about it when he got back.

Li Longji nodded repeatedly as he listened; he now complained that there were too many people who were just freeloading.

Wang Shouyi added, "This is just about cultivating one's own virtue when poor; it also includes the idea of ​​benefiting the world when successful."

"Oh?"

Li Longji's interest was piqued. "What do you mean by that?"

Wang Shouyi then said, “What is meant by benefiting all under heaven? It means providing a way for all people to make a living, so that the world can be at peace and people can live and work in peace. Our dynasty’s equal-field system is just like that. But land is limited, and one day it will be unsustainable. We can only find another way.”

Industry and commerce can also provide livelihoods for the people. The nameless gentleman taught them how to brew and sell wine, intending to familiarize them with industry and commerce so that if they could serve the ruler in the future, they would also know how to use industry and commerce to create livelihoods for the people.

These words instantly dispelled the lighthearted atmosphere at the table, and everyone's expression turned serious. Whether it was Han Xiu, Zhang Jiazhen, Yuan Qianyao, or even Li Longji, they all frowned and pondered.

Now is a critical point, as the equal-field system is becoming unsustainable, and the most obvious sign of this is that the militia system is beginning to evolve into a conscription system.

One key reason why Li Longji appointed Zhang Shuo was to implement a large-scale conscription system.

The equal-field system and the militia system complemented each other. If the militia system could not be maintained, it was mostly because the equal-field system had problems.

what is the problem.

The problem is severe land consolidation.

This matter is now being considered both within and outside the government.

The idea that "when one achieves success, one should benefit all under heaven" is truly thought-provoking.

Li Longji asked, "Did the nameless gentleman tell you this?"

"No."

Wang Shouyi shook his head and said, "It was my son who told me this when I was asking him about his studies. This is also the main reason why I am willing to let my son continue studying at Wuming Academy, because my son has indeed learned a lot."

Han Xiu was immediately dumbfounded.

this.!

It seems the Imperial Academy doesn't teach such advanced knowledge!
But this feels a bit strange. How can someone who drinks and has fun every day still study so well? Is it really true?
Wang Shouyi glanced at everyone furtively and, seeing that they were all deep in thought, his confidence soared. He then said, "Your Majesty, what my son said has also given me some inspiration."

"Really? Tell me about it," Li Longji asked curiously.

Wang Shouyi said: "The biggest difference between the equal-field system of our dynasty and that of the Qin and Han dynasties is that the equal-field system contains the core idea of ​​providing property for the people."

As Emperor Taizong said, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it, and this is the main reason why our Tang Dynasty is so powerful.

Everyone knows that taxes should be light and corvée labor should be reduced, but the problem is that Your Majesty needs money for both civil and military achievements. If the people have money, they can pay taxes, and only then can the country become prosperous and strong. If the people don't have money, how can the country be strong?

It is clear that the livelihood of the people is the key to governing the country. If that is the case, why doesn't the court incorporate the idea of ​​providing property for the people into the imperial examination?

Your Majesty, I believe, a truly talented person should know how to make the people prosperous. When the people are prosperous, the national treasury will naturally be abundant, enabling Your Majesty to achieve both civil and military success.

Everyone stared at Wang Shouyi in surprise.

strangeness!

This is so unfamiliar!
Is this still the Wang Shouyi we know?
Wang Shouyi saw this and was immediately excited. He thought to himself, "I never thought I'd have this day! Hahaha, it was all worth it for me to study all night these past few days."

After a long pause, Li Longji exclaimed in shock, "Shouyi, did you come up with this?"

Wang Shouyi quickly composed himself, "Yes, yes."

Li Longji laughed heartily and said, "Rare indeed! Shouyi, I believe you should receive two sets of tuition fees. Your learning is no less than that of your son!"

Zhang Jiazhen and the others also laughed.

Wang Shouyi said awkwardly, "Your Majesty is too kind. At my age, how can I still study?"

"Not too late! Not too late!" Li Longji laughed heartily, then asked Zhang Jiazhen and the others, "What do you all think of the Duke of Qi's suggestion?"

Yuwen Rong suddenly said, "I believe that what the Duke of Qi said is very reasonable. Providing property for the people is the foundation of our dynasty and should not be easily abandoned."

Wu Xin glanced at Yuwen Rong in surprise, but then he understood.

His specialty is finance. As long as the court persists in this path, he will have room to make a difference. He's not very good at poetry and prose.

Zhang Jiazhen, Zhang Shuo, and Yuan Qianyao also expressed their agreement.

Although Zhang Shuo disapproved of Yuwen Rong's short-sighted thinking, he also believed that people's livelihood should be the priority.

The powerful figures present also expressed their support, saying that it was better for him to engage in industry and commerce than to take over their land.

Seeing that everyone was supporting him, Wang Shouyi couldn't help but feel a little elated.

Governing a country isn't that difficult!
Ah!
Li Longji nodded slightly, looked at Wang Shouyi with a hesitant expression, and then looked at Han Xiu, "Minister Han."

Before he could finish speaking, Han Xiu said, "It is because I have not understood the reason, I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

After being taught like this, what else can he say? Even if he ate shit, let alone drank alcohol, he couldn't be wrong.

Li Longji laughed magnanimously and said, "It's not Han's fault; it's his duty."

Wu Xin was stunned. He thought to himself, "Could that old man possess some kind of magic? How could he have trained an illiterate man to be so powerful, and indirectly at that?"

Outrageous!
Wangfu.

Tonight, Princess Xue, for the first time ever, waited for Wang Shouyi to return home in the front hall. In the past, Princess Xue had never cared whether he came home or not.

When Wang Shouyi returned, Princess Xue rushed forward, "Husband, how is he?"

Wang Shouyi finally couldn't hold back any longer and laughed heartily, "My lady, you really didn't see it. When I expressed my idea of ​​acquiring property for the people, everyone's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. Even His Majesty praised me highly."

Princess Xue breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, that's good."

It was only out of desperation that Wang Shouyi was forced to do this; it would be a miracle if he didn't make any mistakes.

Wang Shouyi added, "It's a pity that His Majesty cannot entrust this matter to me."

He had just noticed Li Longji's hesitation. Logically, this task should have fallen to him, but how could that be possible?

Educational reform falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Rites. Allowing an illiterate person into the Ministry of Rites is utter nonsense.

Princess Xue said, amused and exasperated, "Entrusting it to you will only make things worse. Do you really think you can manage the Ministry of Rites?"

Wang Shouyi said awkwardly, "What I mean is that I wasn't promoted, and I don't necessarily have to go to the Ministry of Rites."

He used to voluntarily step down and enjoy life, all for the sake of his life and fortune. Now he wants to pull himself together, still for the sake of his life and fortune.

Just then, a small head suddenly peeked out from outside the door, "In that case, Daddy still needs to work harder! Work hard, work hard, work hard!"

It was none other than Wang Xi; he couldn't sleep either. Who would trust an illiterate person?

Wang Shouyi was startled, "Why haven't you rested yet, you brat?"

Wang Xi scratched his head and said, "I drank too much today, so I got up to pee."

Wang Shouyi was immediately enraged, "You drink all day long, all you know is to make me work hard."

Wang Xi declared confidently, "My drinking is a way of trying!"

Prince's Mansion.

"Snapped!"

Why did Father hit me?

Li Jieman covered his fat face, staring blankly at Li Qiao's face, which was covered in dark clouds and swirling with anger.

Wang, who was standing nearby, quickly defended Li Jieman, saying, "Are you drunk? Why are you hitting the child as soon as you get back?"

Ignoring Wang Shi, Li Qiao pointed at Li Jieman and said, "I ask you, did the nameless master teach you that when you are poor, you should cultivate your own virtue, and when you are successful, you should help the world?"

Li Jieman, a skilled actor himself, nodded and said, "I did teach you!"

Li Qiao said, "Then why didn't you tell your father?"

Li Jie said, "Father didn't ask!"

"You won't tell me unless I ask you," Li Qiao said, his eyes wide.

"Husband, what are you talking about?" Wang was very confused.

Li Qiao said, "Madam, you may not know this, but just now, my brother Wang used Mr. Wuming's theory of 'when one is successful, one should help the world' to win applause at the banquet."

Wang said with displeasure, "This is a good thing! Why are you jealous of my brother?"

Li Qiao sighed, "I'm not jealous. I just thought that if this kid told me about this like Que'er did, I could say a few words, and maybe His Majesty would even give me this task. But just now I could only hide behind people, afraid that His Majesty would ask about it."

Li Jieman suddenly said, "This is all Father's fault, you can't blame me."

Li Qiao's eyes widened in anger. "What did you say?"

Li Jieman first hid behind Wang Shi, and then said, "I heard that my uncle has been working very hard lately, even sending his four beloved concubines to the temple so that he can calm down and study hard."

So, my uncle's achievements today are the result of his hard work, unlike my father, who only knows how to drink and have fun and never cares about my studies. How can you blame me for that?

"You've gone too far! You've really gone too far, you little brat!"

Li Jieman was different from Wang Xi. This fat man was usually very good at acting cute. Li Qiao immediately flew into a rage and began searching everywhere for weapons.

Suddenly, Wang asked, "Is my husband going to kick us, mother and son, out?"

Li Qiao glanced at Wang Shi, coughed, and said, "I didn't mean that, it's just that kid..."

Wang interrupted him, "Xiaoman is wrong about something."

Li Qiao remained silent.

Wang said, "Everyone knows what the situation is like in the court now. My husband should really settle down and strive for advancement, so as not to regret it later."

Li Qiao nodded and said, "What you say is true, Madam."

Wang said, "I'll ask my sister-in-law tomorrow to see which temple to send it to."

Li Jie whispered, "Mother, Jingxin Temple."

(End of this chapter)