Water Margin: The opening scene involves assassinating Emperor Huizong of Song and forcibly taking L

The following subjects require sufficient financial support from the family.

Of course, we can't give up completely.

Zhao Yuan plans to compile a popular science book to introduce various basic natural knowledge.

Let teenagers who are already in school know that the Earth revolves around the sun, and also know about friction and the lever principle.

To further entice these scholars to help him survey the land, Wei Liangchen revealed more information:

"The next imperial examination will be reformed. The Great Learning, the Analects, Mencius, and the Doctrine of the Mean will be the Four Books, and together with Mathematics, they will be compulsory subjects."

"The Book of Poetry, the Book of Documents, the Book of Rites, the Book of Changes, the Spring and Autumn Annals, and Xunzi are the Six Classics. One can choose one of them as the primary classic to participate in the imperial examinations."

This information will be released nationwide next spring; Wei Liangchen is only revealing it two or three months in advance.

It is not against the rules.

It doesn't matter if it causes public chaos; the imperial court has been arguing about it for years, and the people will probably continue to argue about it for years to come.

Wei Liangchen laughed and said, "If any of you are knowledgeable in the Xunzi, you should study it diligently."

"If you take this as your guide to the imperial examinations, you will have a great chance of passing and becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations)."

As soon as this statement came out, the situation exploded instantly.

A scholar asked, "Xunzi said that human nature is inherently evil. How should those who take Xunzi as their fundamental text respond to Mencius's theory of the goodness of human nature?"

Wei Liangchen said, "The interpretation of the scriptures regarding whether human nature is good or evil will not be examined further."

Suddenly, a member of the Hong family questioned, "Xunzi also discussed the theory of false rites. Does that mean he didn't even examine rites?"

Wei Liangchen said: "The Book of Rites is a guide to governance and does not conflict with the Book of Xunzi."

“If there are any conflicts between the Four Books and the theory of false rites, then the questions on the interpretation of the classics will not be tested.”

Then another member of the Hong family shouted: "Xunzi's theories of inherent evil and false rites are already blasphemous to Confucius and Mencius. How can Xunzi be considered a classic?"

"This is utterly ridiculous! There must be treacherous officials in the court who are bewitching the emperor!"

Wei Liangchen said, "It was Your Majesty who proposed elevating Xunzi to the status of a classic."

The entire room fell silent, everyone speechless with astonishment.

This situation is quite normal. Mencius was originally a book of various schools of thought, but its promotion to the status of a classic in the Northern Song Dynasty caused a great stir and even became a catalyst for factional strife.

Wang Anshi supported the elevation of Mencius to the status of a classic text, thus belonging to the "Mencius-venerating faction."

Sima Guang opposed elevating Mencius to the status of a classic text and belonged to the "skeptical school of Mencius".

Sima Guang had a very good relationship with the Cheng brothers, and their schools of thought were closely related.

Ironically, the Cheng brothers belonged to the "respect for Meng" faction and chose to side with Wang Anshi.

As for the scholars of the Hong family, the reason they oppose elevating Xunzi to the status of a classic is because they all belong to the "denigrating Xunzi faction"!

The Northern Song Dynasty's attitude towards Xunzi was very complex.

Some people regard Xunzi as a sage.

Some people put Mencius and Xunzi together.

Some people acknowledge Xunzi's orthodox lineage, but deny some of his doctrines.

Some people completely reject Xunzi.

Wang Anshi, Sima Guang, the Cheng brothers, Zhang Zai... all tended to negate Xunzi.

Huang Tingjian was a disciple of Sima Guang, and his hostility toward Xunzi was even more intense than that of Sima Guang.

Some believe that Xunzi deliberately tried to emulate Mencius, and that he was a maverick who lacked a proper lineage of Confucianism.

The Leitang Academy was at its most prosperous when Huang Tingjian was in charge of teaching there.

These Hong family members before me are all disciples of Sima Guang.

Don't completely negate Sima Guang's scholarship just because of what he did.

Historically, many of the civil officials who promoted Yue Fei or were on good terms with him were disciples of Sima Guang.

Xunzi was criticized not only for his theory of the inherent evil of human nature, but also for his theory of false rites.

The mainstream Confucianism believes that rites originate from human nature and arise naturally.

Zhang Zai even said that rites do not necessarily originate from humans; the rites of heaven and earth exist naturally.

Chapter 3591 Descendants of Wang Anshi

Xunzi only acknowledged that Heaven and Earth were the models for the sages to establish rites, and that "rites are born from the sages' fabrications," so there could not be rites of Heaven and Earth that existed independently and were detached from human affairs.

This was precisely Zhao Yuan's motivation to elevate Xunzi to the status of a classic text.

Xunzi's "On Heaven" states: "The course of Heaven is constant; it does not exist for Yao, nor does it perish for Jie."

The laws of nature are there; using them well brings good fortune, while using them poorly brings misfortune.

Solar eclipses and meteors are merely changes in the heavens and earth; both enlightened rulers and tyrants can occur.

Why does it rain when you pray for rain? Because it rains even if you don't pray for rain.

Everything is merely a part of the laws of nature, and every single thing is just a part of everything.

We cannot generalize from a single instance.

Lao Tzu only saw yielding and contraction, not progress and expansion.

Mozi only saw the benefits of equality and uniformity, but failed to see the role of hierarchical differences.

Zhao Yuan liked all of these very much.

However, the entire Xunzi must be re-annotated because it also contains flaws and negative content.

……

Wei Liangchen revealed information about the imperial examination reform and elaborated on the "History Theory" that might be tested. As expected, these scholars were more willing to follow him and survey the land.

After all, it was just youthful enthusiasm before, and it's possible that Takeda would back down if he encountered obstacles.

Now, however, it is profitable, which allows them to persevere.

Having registered with the governor and potentially gaining access to important secret information, many scholars were determined to follow Wei Liangchen.

Even the scholars in the Hong family, though dissatisfied with Xunzi's elevation to the status of a classic, were willing to follow Wei Liangchen.

When Wei Liangchen returned to Nanchang with a large group of scholars, Li Bing was completely dumbfounded.

Wei Liangchen summoned Zhang Liangyou and said, "Take some scholars and go to the Nanchang Prefectural School to spread what I have said."

Zhang Liangyou immediately understood and led his classmates towards the prefectural school.

Not only did it reveal information about the imperial examination reform, but it also embellished the story, saying how Wei Liangchen subdued the Chen, Hu, and Hong clans.

The Nanchang Prefectural School also included students from minor clans and merchants.

They were just worried about not being able to get ahead, and after being persuaded by Zhang Liangyou and others, they excitedly ran to Wei Liangchen to sign up.

Subsequently, Wei Liangchen dispatched officials to each lead a group of students to various prefectures and counties in Jiangxi to survey the land.

Wei Liangchen personally led the team, heading straight for Fuzhou Prefecture.

There are descendants of famous ministers such as Yan Shu and Wang Anshi there!

Continuing southeast, there are the families of Zeng Gong and Zeng Bu. The Zeng family alone produced seven famous ministers in succession.

Continuing southwest, one finds the descendants of Ouyang Xiu's family.

There are far too many large clans like this in Jiangxi. How do you expect local officials to implement the land tax system?

The current patriarch of the Wang clan was Wang Hua, the grandson of Wang Anshi's third younger brother, Wang Anshang.

Wang Hua and his clansmen greeted him at the dock. After the two sides exchanged greetings, Wei Liangchen asked, "Are there any descendants of Wang Jinggong?"

A young man stepped forward: "This junior, Wang Jue, pays his respects to Governor Wei."

This is Wang Anshi's second great-grandson, and his eldest great-grandson is already serving as an official.

Instead of getting down to business, Wei Liangchen asked, "How's your scholarship going?"

Wang Jue replied, "I have passed the provincial examination, but failed the metropolitan examination in the capital. I am currently studying diligently at home."

Wei Liangchen encouraged him, saying, "Wang Anshi's great-grandson, as long as you continue your efforts, you will surely pass the imperial examination one day."

"Thank you for your encouragement, Governor," Wang Jue said, bowing.

Wei Liangchen said, "His Majesty greatly admires Wang Anshi and has entrusted me to come to Fuzhou to express his condolences to the Wang family."

"His Majesty said that when Wang Anshi reformed the country, he overcame numerous obstacles in the north to ensure the equal distribution of land taxes."

"Unfortunately, the task was not fully accomplished. There were simply too many treacherous officials, which resulted in the South never having a proper arable land."

Suddenly, Wei Liangchen said loudly, "His Majesty told me that this time when I come to Jiangxi, I must carry on the legacy of Wang Anshi."

"We must accomplish the great things that Wang Anshi did not finish back then in Jiangxi, no matter what."

"Once the land tax reform in Jiangxi is completed, His Majesty will personally go to the Confucian Temple to inform Wang Anshi of the good news!"

These words put the Wang clan in a very difficult position.

Everyone looked at each other, not knowing what to do.

The emperor was waiting to pay homage to Wang Anshi at the Confucian Temple. If Wang's family obstructed the land tax reform, then they would be accused of both disloyalty and filial impiety.

With the family's reputation ruined, how will they ever face the world again?

Wang Jue bowed first: "This junior will certainly live up to the aspirations of my ancestors and personally guide the officials in measuring the Wang family's land!"

Historically, Wang Jue participated in the Northern Expedition and sacrificed his life.

Clan chief Wang Hua had no choice but to express his attitude: "The Wang clan will definitely cooperate with the land survey and will not disgrace the reputation of our ancestors."

Wei Liangchen then asked, "Why didn't the Yan family come to greet us?"

Wang Hua replied, "His home is even further away; he's probably still on his way."

As they were talking, several boats came sailing in from afar.

Yan Zhun, the clan leader of the Yan clan, was helped off the boat.

After exchanging greetings, Wei Liangchen said, "The Wang family has agreed to cooperate with the land survey; I wonder what the Yan family's intentions are?"

Yan Zhun subconsciously looked at Wang Hua.

Wang Hua stared straight ahead, saying nothing.

Wang Jue replied, "If my great-grandfather were still alive, he would certainly be willing to integrate the land tax with the poll tax."

Chapter 3592 Those Who Invite Fame

Yan Zhun immediately understood: Wang Shi was burdened by her reputation and, with the governor-general in person, had no choice but to fully cooperate with the court.

Looking at the army and scholars brought by Wei Liangchen, Yan Zhun had no choice but to admit defeat: "The Yan family is not inferior to others either."

“Very well, each of your two families shall send one hundred literate people to accompany me to investigate the Zeng family’s land.”

Wei Liangchen laughed and said, "Let's continue with that trick of dragging people down with us."

These powerful families in Jiangxi are being ruined by Wei Liangchen.

The gentry had no power to resist imperial authority.

Let me give you two examples.

Wang Jixian, a court physician in the early Southern Song Dynasty, was highly skilled in medicine and was greatly favored by Emperor Gaozong (Zhao Gou). As a result, he began to seize land in various counties of Hangzhou.

The gentry whose land had been seized didn't dare utter a single word.

However, with so many favored officials vying for land in Hangzhou, Wang Jixian could only pick up what others had left over.

He felt he was being taken advantage of, so he sent people to acquire land in more distant prefectures and counties, even reaching Xuancheng and Wuhu.

He also used the emperor's name to forcibly purchase the land owned by Wang Anshi's descendants at low prices under the guise of acquiring "imperial estates".

The gentry families whose land was seized took the opportunity to file complaints.

They didn't emphasize that their own land had been occupied, but only said that Wang Anshi's descendants had their land seized, which quickly stirred up public opinion in the court and among the people.