My Pen Pal Zhu Yuanzhang

Chapter 92 When in doubt, look for Lao Li
Inside the Imperial College, there was a new guest in Qian Hongming's study, and this person was none other than Hong Wenchang, the Grand Secretary of the Dongke Academy.

"Qian Jijiu, your group of Confucian scholars from the Imperial College went to the Artisan Academy to debate with the craftsmen, but a Cheng Yaojin suddenly showed up, and the group of Confucian scholars were speechless after being refuted by a scholar named Fang Xiaoru."

Hong Wenchang smiled as he sipped the fragrant tea.

Ever since his brother Hong Wensheng was ousted from the position of Chief Medical Officer of the Imperial Medical Bureau, he seemed to have been taken less seriously in the East Pavilion.

After Wu Chen recommended Fang Xiaoru to His Majesty, Hong Wenchang's position was once again hit.

Now that so many Confucian scholars are causing trouble for His Majesty, Hong Wenchang naturally welcomes it.

Although the Confucian scholars of the Imperial College were refuted by Fang Xiaoru, he successfully aroused the anger of the aristocratic literary circles.

He, Hong Wenchang, doesn't mind adding more fuel to the anger.

"Master Hong, please forgive me for laughing. Fang Xiaoru is the favorite student of the great scholar Song Lian. His academic attainments are naturally profound."

Qian Hongming was neither anxious nor annoyed. "Those scholars who failed to master their studies brought disgrace upon themselves. This will also let them know that there are always people better than them, which is good for their academic advancement."

"Master Qian, you are very open-minded. However, after this incident, the reputation of the Craftsman Academy has become even greater among the people."

Hong Wenchang put down the teacup and looked at Qian Hongming quietly.

Qian Hongming smiled slightly, "Isn't this a good thing?"

Hong Wenchang was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized, "Now, whether it is the local Confucian scholars in the capital or the students coming from other places to take the exam, they are all denouncing the Craftsman Academy. The momentum is breathtaking. It turns out that Mr. Qian is the driving force behind this!"

"Hahahaha, Lord Hong is wrong."

Qian Hongming laughed a few times, his tone full of pride.

"It is the students who are arguing for the way of the sages, and I am just following the trend. Doesn't this just prove that the students are diligent in learning and inquisitive?
The students are so enthusiastic about their studies that even I can't help but yearn for it. Don't you, Lord Hong, want to join me in this great event?"

"It is against the will of heaven for a craftsman to build a government school. The students' condemnation is an act of justice. I naturally don't want to miss such a grand event!"

Then Hong Wenchang walked up to Qian Hongming.

“The tide of students is so strong and surging that it has become unstoppable.

Even if your majesty has unparalleled authority, it is difficult to stop the gossips of the scholars in the world. Now, many students have petitioned your majesty, and the closure of the Craftsman Academy is a foregone conclusion!"

"Master Hong is right!"

After saying that, the two looked at each other and burst into laughter.

Nowadays in Yingtian Prefecture, whether in restaurants, bookstores, or on the streets, there are groups of students denouncing the Jiangzao Academy.

Opposite the gate of Jiangzao Academy, students set up a competition stage, which is surrounded by countless students every day. Many of them go up to make impassioned speeches, and when they speak passionately, they will draw thunderous applause.

"The very existence of a craftsman-made academy is a rebellion against the laws of nature.

We respect the principles of nature and firmly believe that the pursuit of knowledge through investigation of things is the way to explore the truth of heaven and earth.

However, craftsmen only know the superficial aspects of their skills and do not investigate the essence of all things. If they do not study things to gain knowledge, they will not be able to understand the ways of heaven and earth.

How can we tolerate such a violation of the principles of heaven? I hope all students will resist it together to correct the academic atmosphere! "

As soon as one student finished speaking, he received warm applause, and another student rushed to the stage to continue his speech.

The students of Jiangzao Academy gathered behind the gate, watching the group of students speaking passionately and spitting everywhere, feeling angry and helpless in their hearts.

They couldn't understand why a craftsman would be scolded by this group of Confucian scholars when he went to school. They didn't understand what the study of things was or what the principles of heaven were. They only knew that they needed to learn a skill, earn money in the factory, and support their families.

Is it a sin for a craftsman to want to live a good life?

They were worried about what they would do once the Craftsmen Academy was closed. Would they have to go back to their old ways and work as craftsmen in a shop?

Although I wanted to argue with the group of Confucian scholars, I was too clumsy to know how to start. In terms of knowledge and talent, they were no match for the group of well-read scholars. I could only look at the group of students with angry eyes, carefully guarding the humble dignity in my heart.

At this time, the students in front of the arena became more and more excited, and someone shouted loudly.

"Let's all go to the palace and petition His Majesty to close down the Artisan Academy to set things right!"

"Yes, let's go petition His Majesty together!"

"Let's go together!"

……

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, those students are here to petition again!"

Inside the palace, a eunuch was reporting to Zhu Yuanzhang in a hurry.

Zhu Yuanzhang slammed the dragon table and stood up angrily.

"This group of Confucian scholars, will they ever stop?"

These days, Confucian scholars come to petition every day and want to debate the principles of heaven with the court, which makes him extremely annoyed.

Although he really wanted to follow the example of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and burn books and bury scholars, he couldn't do it!

These students represent the gentry, and the gentry represent all the literati in the world. Even if Zhu Yuanzhang was cruel and brutal, he could not kill all the literati in the world.

Moreover, his sister also advised him that it is impossible to kill all the scholars in the world, and it is impossible to stop the people from talking. It is more difficult to prevent people from talking than to prevent rivers from flooding. It is better to dredge rather than block.

Finally, he waved his hands and had no choice but to let the Jinwu Guards drive away the group of students first.

He saw the increasingly turbulent situation in Yingtian Prefecture and felt anxious.

Intellectuals are good at creating momentum, and the pen is in their hands. Justice is on their side!

Although Fang Xiaoru often debated with Confucian scholars, he could not do it alone after all.

It's not that he didn't select people to debate, but firstly, the Grand Secretaries of Wenyuan Pavilion and Hanlin Academy were all literati, and no one would offend the entire literary world for a group of craftsmen. Moreover, they themselves had a lot of resentment towards the Craftsmen Academy.

Secondly, the students' side was very powerful. Now, not only Confucian students had joined, but also many great Confucian scholars with profound knowledge had participated. All the people he sent to debate returned in defeat.

Xu Da and Li Wenzhong volunteered to go, but the result was that these two founding heroes, who were brave generals who faced thousands of enemy troops without frowning, were scolded by a group of Confucian scholars and stayed depressed for several days at home. They had to be persuaded by themselves.

Although Li Min, Yang Siyi and others are knowledgeable, it is a critical moment in production and they have no time to debate with that sour Confucian scholar.

Besides, it would be dishonorable for a second-rank official in the imperial court to lower himself to debate, even if he won!

The student movement is too fierce, is it really necessary to close down the Jiangzao Academy?
No, absolutely not. That is the spark of the Ming Dynasty's future.
Adjusting the frame of his glasses on his nose, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly clapped his hands and said, "Oh, why did I forget about Lao Li?"
During this period, I was busy planning the Northern Expedition, planning production, and dealing with petitioning students, so I forgot to reply to Lao Li.

I have no way to deal with those students who only talk about the principles of heaven and the study of things, but is there no way for a man as knowledgeable as Lao Li?
And I also have to ask Old Li to help Fang Xiaoru get a pair of glasses.

For some reason, when Fang Xiaoru put on those glasses, his vision became even blurrier and he felt dizzy. Even Zhu couldn't figure out what was going on.

However, when it comes to Fang Xiaoru, he is still extremely satisfied with him. He teaches and educates people in an orderly manner and is not pedantic.

It was just that Fang Xiaoru and the fourth brother seemed to be born incompatible. Whenever the two met, Fang Xiaoru would always teach the fourth brother to cultivate a righteous character.

The fourth brother trembled all over when he heard the words "righteousness". Now he stays in the martial arts field all day to avoid Fang Xiaoru. Even when he returns to the palace, he does it secretly.

Zhu Di, who was fearless that day, now finally has someone who can control him.

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(End of this chapter)