The Ming Dynasty started with caution

The question that Emperor Hongzhi was thinking about was.

From the burning of books and burying of scholars by the King of Qin to Emperor Wu of Han abolishing all schools of thought and respecting Confucianism alone.

Confucianism and the School of Mind are just tools for the emperor to govern the world. There is no right or wrong. If it can conform to his own ideas of governing the world, it will be respected by the emperor as national learning.

He also has his own ideas. If he can see that the School of Mind is a good policy for the court and the world.

Needless to say, he will also regard it as national learning, just as the King of Qin and Emperor Wu of Han were domineering.

But...

It is only my guess after all, and it cannot be confirmed.

Duchayuan, duty room.

Yan Chengjin heard that His Majesty went to Liangxiang Library to listen to the School of Mind, and seemed to be moved.

"Brother Bo'an, how sure are you to win the debate with the gentlemen in the hall? Don't be humble, just tell me directly."

After listening to the School of Mind, His Majesty may ask about Wang Shouren, so you need to be prepared first.

Wang Shouren was confused: "Why do I want to debate with you gentlemen in the hall?"

"This matter is not only related to the imperial examination, but also to Brother Bo'an's ambition."

Wang Shouren's eyes were blank. His ambition was not to be an official, but to become a saint: "Brother Gao, what is it?"

"To be honest with Brother Bo'an, the test questions I asked were about the study of the mind."

Wang Shouren was stunned, and his eyes gradually brightened. Although he knew that Yan Chengjin might have other calculations.

At this time, he still couldn't help shedding tears.

Brother Gao was the one who had always enlightened him to understand the study of the mind.

No wonder His Majesty suddenly went to Liangxiang to listen to the study of the mind.

"If I risk great disapproval, I am 100% sure to win the debate with you gentlemen."

What a confident guy...

"Sir, His Majesty summoned you to the Fengtian Hall." At this moment, Jiang Wen walked in.

It was almost time to get off work, and His Majesty asked him to work overtime. It seemed that there was something important to discuss.

Yan Chengjin took out three taels of silver: "Are the cabinet and the six ministries also here, or are you only summoning me?"

"All nine officials from the cabinet and the six ministries are here." The young eunuch took the silver and said happily.

The cabinet and the six ministries are here, and His Majesty summoned him to discuss, so it should be the imperial examination.

After thinking for a moment, Yan Chengjin hurried to the Fengtian Hall. When he stepped into the door, he clearly felt the pressure of his gaze.

The officials from the cabinet and the six ministries glared at him, but Emperor Hongzhi looked normal.

"You actually used the study of the mind as the test question?" Xiong Xiu whispered.

"I know that this boy's knowledge is still too shallow, and he actually believes in the doctrine of the study of the mind. Your Majesty, it is better for me to be the chief examiner."

Zhang Sheng continued to advise.

Yan Chengjin also wanted to take off the hat of the chief examiner. Just staying in seclusion in the Imperial Academy for three days was outrageous.

Besides, he had no shortage of disciples and followers, and the imperial examination was useless to him.

But His Majesty seemed to have decided on him and insisted on letting him come once.

Emperor Hongzhi raised his hand and suppressed the quarrel in the hall: "First, let's listen to Mr. Yan's story about why we should establish the School of Mind."

In Liangxiang, after listening to the School of Mind for nearly half an hour, I was inspired to think about the Qin Emperor and Han Emperor, and it was not without gain.

Yan Chengjin said: "The court recruits scholars in order to recruit those who can be employed.

The Four Books and Five Classics have been tested for nearly a hundred years, but no saints were born in the Ming Dynasty. It can be seen that the principles of Confucianism have been explained.

The School of Mind has a great connection with Confucianism.

In the autumn examination, each prefecture will set its own questions. Even if it is tried first in Northern Zhili, it will not affect candidates all over the world.

The court can record those who recruit scholars through the School of Mind. Whether it is a good policy or a bad policy, it will be clear in ten years."

Yan Chengjin is fully confident.

The promotion of the School of Mind at this time is very different from the promotion of the School of Mind in the previous life, the Hongzhi Dynasty and the Zhengde Dynasty.

The science in Liangxiang has taken shape, and the study of the mind has opened the seal of thought.

For the Ming Dynasty, it was like dry wood meeting fire.

Xiong Xiu asked in a defensive tone: "Do you mean that if the study of the mind is used to select scholars, the Ming Dynasty will have another saint?"

"I didn't say that. What I said was, maybe, probably, I'm afraid, but it's not certain. Lord Xiong, please don't slander me." Yan Chengjin looked at Xiong Xiu. He hadn't impeached him for a long time.

Xiong Xiu just refuted him for the sake of refuting him, not for the sake of the court.

The sons of Liu Jian and Li Dongyang have either been announced to fail the imperial examination or have been arranged for official positions, which has little to do with their interests.

What they care about is whether the study of the mind can be respected as a national study.

Xiong Xiu seems to be just trying to refute him.

Liu Jian stroked his beard and expressed the concerns of all officials: "Although the autumn examination was only conducted in Northern Zhili, the use of the heart-learning theory to recruit officials has not been verified after all."

"If it is useless after implementation, I will resign."

Yan Chengjin estimated that even if he resigned, he would be re-employed after Zhu Houzhao ascended the throne.

Maybe he could skip a level and become the chief minister of the cabinet directly, just like changing jobs in later generations, with a faster salary increase.

Xiong Xi and Qin Hong's eyes lit up slightly: "Lord Yan is so confident, and the heart-learning theory has outstanding features. Can it be promoted in Northern Zhili?"

Emperor Hongzhi glared at Yan Chengjin: "Don't talk about resigning all day long, call Wang Shouren."

Soon, Wang Shouren appeared in the hall.

The ministers' faces were not good for Wang Shouren either.

"I heard from Mr. Yan that Mr. Wang's heart-learning theory was learned from Song Jing and others?"

"That's right, and it has a lot to do with Mr. Yan's suggestion." Wang Shouren said.

Wang Shouren was given the title of Saint by the world after he died a long time ago.

If he could become a Saint in this life, I wonder what a great blessing it would be for the Ming Dynasty and the world.

If we vigorously promote the philosophy of mind, perhaps Wang Shouren could become a Saint right away.

Yan Chengjin said: "I believe that Wang Shouren can become a Saint."

Wang Shouren bowed slightly: "I will definitely spend my whole life to become a Saint!"

To become a saint, one needs to know all the principles of the world, have great merits for the world, and benefit the world. Only those who can be called saints.

Do you think saints are cabbages that can be changed at will?

Not only do you not reflect on yourself, but you also dare to claim to be saints.

Emperor Hongzhi was stunned. One dared to say it, and the other dared to answer it.

The ministers held the banner stiffly, like the statues in the temple.

"Do you know what a saint is?" Emperor Hongzhi took a deep breath.

Wang Shouren bowed slightly: "Those who can establish a destiny for the people and bring peace to the world are saints."

It is not that simple. The reason why saints are called saints is that the principles they put forward can solve all the problems in the world, and what they say is right.

One of the important reasons for using the knowledge of saints as the standard for official recruitment is this.

If there is a living saint, what can't be solved in the world? Why worry about the prosperity not coming?

Yan Chengjin planned to promote it in a small range in northern Zhili first.

It is necessary to make your majesty and the ministers believe that the theory of mind is not a heretical doctrine, and Wang Shouren is needed to refute the ministers.

Liu Jian asked: "You mean, what Song Jing, Xie Pi and others practiced is all the theory of mind."

"I dare not be so arrogant, but what Song Jing and Xie Pi practiced is indeed the unity of knowledge and action of the theory of mind." Wang Shouren said.

While your majesty and the ministers were thinking, Wang Shouren continued: "Your Majesty just asked, why Confucianism was included in the imperial examination?

I think it is because the principles of the saints can make people enlightened.

The theory of mind can also make people enlightened. Similarly, the theory of mind can also be used as a subject for imperial examinations."