Chapter 208: The Outline of the Grand Examination

Han Kuang and the other four exchanged glances.

In Zhu Youxiao's words, they all heard a name — a man called Wei Dazhong, and moreover a student of Gao Panlong.

How could this man have said something like "only the doctrines of sages enshrined in the Confucian Temple may be taught"?

Everyone present knew very well why Gao Panlong had been thrown into the Embroidered Uniform Guard's prison.

Now Gao Panlong's student had actually said such a thing — what was he trying to do?

The faces of Han Kuang and the others turned somewhat sour. They felt that this Wei Dazhong was no good man — likely another crafty, treacherous sort who, after his teacher had been thrown into the Embroidered Uniform Guard's prison, was so eager to stand out and show himself off.

This matter concerning Wei Dazhong had been spoken of personally by His Majesty, so naturally it could not be false.

But how had Wei Dazhong's words been transmitted into the palace?

No minister had submitted a routine memorial on the matter, so it certainly had not come through the Grand Secretariat; then there was only one possibility — it had come through the Eastern Depot, or through the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Whichever channel had let His Majesty learn of such remarks, it meant that this Wei Dazhong was no good.

If it was through the Eastern Depot, it meant Wei Dazhong had already thrown in his lot with Wei Zhongxian. What a disgraceful thing that would be!

Even though the current Grand Secretaries had all been promoted personally by His Majesty, they themselves still did not get along with Wei Zhongxian. Under such circumstances, for Wei Dazhong to defect to Wei Zhongxian truly showed a deplorable character.

If Wei Dazhong had thrown in his lot with the Embroidered Uniform Guard, then his character was even worse. His teacher was still locked up in the Embroidered Uniform Guard's Imperial Prison — that was a very serious matter.

The five men present each had their own thoughts.

Zhu Youxiao did not much care what they were thinking. The expression on his face did not change; he merely sat quietly on the dragon throne, waiting for the five to reach some conclusion.

For Zhu Youxiao, pinning the blame on Wei Dazhong carried not the slightest psychological burden.

After all, "only the doctrines of sages enshrined in the Confucian Temple may be taught" was Wei Dazhong's own words — he had not embellished them in the least.

Now that someone had reported the matter to him, he could bring it up at court, and moreover claim it was what the scholars of the realm were saying. What did that represent?

It represented public opinion!

Through this affair, Zhu Youxiao had learned another trick. He should go down and cultivate some representatives of public opinion, let them voice their views at opportune moments, and then he could conveniently ride the current and bring it before the court.

These were all public opinion — as an emperor, how could he ignore public opinion?

In this way, the pretext for the matter was established.

If he also placed some ministers who supported him in the court, then what could possibly fail to pass?

None of the four Grand Secretaries and one Minister of Rites knew what Zhu Youxiao was thinking.

After pondering briefly, Xu Guangqi spoke first.

Because for Xu Guangqi, there was simply nothing to consider about this matter.

So he said slowly: "Your Majesty, your minister believes this matter is feasible. Every dynasty has its own guiding philosophy. Now to reshape the Confucian Temple and redraw the list of worthies enshrined therein — your minister feels this is a good thing for the Great Ming. So your minister believes this matter may proceed."

This Wei Dazhong was indeed a man of insight. For Xu Guangqi, if this matter could be carried through, then he could drive certain people out of the Confucian Temple.

For example, he could drive out Zhu Xi, make him leave the Confucian Temple entirely, so that his learning could not be passed on at court, nor even among the people.

For disciples of the School of Mind, this would absolutely be a very, very fine wish. If it could be realized, it would surely cause the School of Mind to flourish greatly.

With Zhu Xi's School of Principle gone, the School of Mind would surely rise in its place. He could have some great achievers of the School of Mind enter the Confucian Temple — for instance, the great Confucians of his own school, for Master Yangming was already enshrined there.

His Majesty's attitude was now very clear — he had been suppressing the School of Principle all along, so that the School of Mind could quickly rise to prominence.

Under such circumstances, Xu Guangqi naturally had to seize this opportunity well, so he felt this matter held great promise.

Xu Guangqi's being first to express his stance was also to seize the initiative, then ask His Majesty to settle the matter.

Upon receiving such a reply, Zhu Youxiao nodded with satisfaction and said with a smile: "Do my lords have any further objections? Speak freely."

Han Kuang and the others, hearing Xu Guangqi's words, naturally knew this matter could no longer be stopped — for just look at how pleased His Majesty was.

Moreover, if the list of those enshrined in the Confucian Temple was truly to be redrawn, that would also be an opportunity — an opportunity to win over certain people.

Then there was the court's Imperial Academy. How could they not know that this matter was tied to the Academy and to lecturing?

The Imperial Academy was something His Majesty had always wanted to promote. If they opposed this matter now, that would be tantamount to opposing the Imperial Academy and lecturing as well — something His Majesty absolutely could not tolerate.

So apart from agreeing, they had no other recourse.

Having thought this through, Sun Chengzong stepped forward and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, your minister also feels this is a good thing. However, your minister feels that strict rules must still be established, lest it ultimately become a tool for factional strife. The court is rife with factions, and what they study is varied and mixed; if it truly comes to you attacking me and me attacking you, the court will inevitably split, and then the state will surely be unstable. So this matter must be handled with great care."

"If that is the case, then it would be better not to change it at all." Huang Kezuan, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke up.

These words startled everyone, including Zhu Youxiao.

After all, since entering the Grand Secretariat, this Huang Kezuan had rarely expressed his own stance — he was more like a spirit tablet standing upright in the Grand Secretariat.

But this time was different — Huang Kezuan's attitude was too obvious. Previously he had clearly kept out of these court affairs; this time was out of the ordinary.

After saying this, Huang Kezuan did not stop but continued: "Since we are to change it, there must naturally be removals and additions. If everything is premised on not offending anyone and not displeasing anyone, then how can any change be made?"

"With removals and additions, some will suffer loss and some will be displeased. So your minister believes we could take a different approach — after all, if we are to touch the Confucian Temple, the stir would be somewhat too great."

Zhu Youxiao looked at Huang Kezuan, somewhat puzzled by his stance.

Was this Huang Kezuan standing on Xu Guangqi's side, or on Sun Chengzong's side? Or on neither side?

Still, Huang Kezuan's remarks had piqued Zhu Youxiao's interest, and he asked with a look of curiosity: "May I ask what my lord has in mind?"

"Your minister believes there is no need to touch the sages in the Confucian Temple. The sages in the Confucian Temple are merely predecessors and great masters — their purpose is but to carry the grief and remembrance of later generations. Just as with a temple, it matters not which Buddha is enshrined; so long as people come to pay homage, that is enough."

"That Wei Dazhong said only the doctrines of sages enshrined in the Confucian Temple may be taught — your minister believes those words are one-sided. The court cannot prohibit which learning may be taught; it can only regulate lecturing. Otherwise, that would be the act of the First Emperor of Qin burning books and burying scholars alive — not the deed of a sage ruler of a flourishing age."

Hearing this, Zhu Youxiao's brow furrowed.

Were Huang Kezuan's words not going a bit too far?!

"The court's grand examination is but to select officials suited to the court. Then, what sort of people are chosen to be officials should be decided by the court. So your minister believes there is no need for such a great stir in changing the qualifications of those enshrined in the Confucian Temple."

"A catalogue can be drawn up, listing the books or names of certain former worthies; these learnings would be what the court's grand examination tests. The provincial and metropolitan examinations across the land must set their questions from these books — in this way, one move achieves two ends."

Zhu Youxiao watched Huang Kezuan impassively, calculating silently in his heart.

In truth, Zhu Youxiao had not failed to think of Huang Kezuan's idea — he had merely felt it made too little stir, not as earth-shaking as touching the Confucian Temple.

But thinking on it now, touching the Confucian Temple did indeed seem somewhat improper, for too great a stir was not necessarily a good thing either.

Huang Kezuan's method was actually quite good — like the examination syllabi of later ages, where questions must be set within the scope of the syllabus.

Ninety percent of the scholars under heaven study books for the sole purpose of becoming officials—that is the mainstream view in this era. If what you study isn't tested in the examinations, would you still want to learn it?

Education in later generations was exactly the same, let alone the Great Ming Dynasty.

In later generations, exam-oriented education meant you studied whatever was tested, and everyone understood this clearly; in the Great Ming Dynasty, it was the same.

Moreover, the Great Ming's examinations combined the college entrance exam with the civil service exam, so their importance went without saying. Of course you studied what was tested—if it wasn't tested, why bother studying it?

So Huang Kezuan's idea was still worth trying.

Seeing that His Majesty was lost in thought, Huang Kezuan continued: "To be more specific, at each imperial examination Your Majesty could select one book for the examination, announce it in advance, and spread the word throughout the realm, so that all officials would set questions from this book."

Zhu Youxiao raised his head, glanced at Huang Kezuan, then slowly swept his gaze over the others and asked: "What do you all think, my lords?"

Huang Kezuan's method would indeed cause far fewer waves—much less commotion than touching the Confucian Temple. It would turn the matter into a purely court-political struggle. If that were the case, it would not be a bad choice after all.

The key question was whether it would devolve into a tool for factional strife—that remained unknown.

However, Sun Chengzong actually approved of this matter, because even if it were taken seriously, the commotion would be much smaller.

Sun Chengzong's greatest worry right now was that Xu Guangqi would use this opportunity to expel Zhu Xi from the Confucian Temple. If that really happened, many things would become troublesome.

"Your servant believes this matter is feasible." Sun Chengzong was the first to state his position, declaring in a clear voice: "In this way, the commotion would indeed be much smaller, yet it would still achieve the goal—it is a method that kills two birds with one stone."

Among the four Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat, two had already expressed approval, so the final gaze fell upon Han Kuang.

As long as Han Kuang also agreed, there would be no other choice—even if Xu Guangqi objected, it would be useless.

As such, Xu Guangqi felt somewhat uncomfortable in his heart, but this was not an unacceptable outcome for him.

He only needed to keep Zhu Xi's learning out of the examinations; whether Zhu Xi continued to be enshrined in the Confucian Temple was not very important—he could find an opportunity later to get Zhu Xi out again.

Before Han Kuang could speak, Xu Guangqi spoke up first himself.

He said with a smile: "Your servant believes this matter is feasible—it is indeed a method that kills two birds with one stone. It is worth trying. Your servant approves."

Hearing Xu Guangqi say this, Zhu Youxiao nodded and said gently: "Then let this matter be settled. My lords, inform the entire court so that officials at all levels may discuss it. If there are no problems, then it shall be carried out according to this idea."

"Your Majesty, then who will draw up this list?" Sun Chengzong asked abruptly.

This time Xu Guangqi yielded not an inch. He stepped forward, straightened his back, and said directly in a confrontational tone: "Of course it should be drawn up by the Ministry of Rites—this is originally the Ministry of Rites' affair."

At the same time, Xu Guangqi turned to Zhu Youxiao and said: "Your servant believes it is appropriate for the Ministry of Rites to draw it up."

Everyone looked at Xu Guangqi. This little old man truly did not conceal anything at all—the crowd was astonished by his approach.

Everyone knew whose man the Ministry of Rites belonged to.

Shen Tingyun and Xu Guangqi seemed to share the same pair of trousers—if this matter were left to the Ministry of Rites, what difference would it make from leaving it to Xu Guangqi?

These two were both disciples of the School of Mind—what did that represent?

It meant they would surely promote their own and trample on others.

This was something the others could never accept under any circumstances, so Sun Chengzong spoke up: "Your servant believes this should be treated with seriousness and rigor—this is a great matter for all of the Great Ming. If it were merely left to the Ministry of Rites to manipulate, perhaps that would be far too frivolous."

"In your servant's view, the Hanlin scholars of the Hanlin Academy should be assembled, and officials should be drawn from the Six Ministries to study and discuss the matter in detail before making a decision. We must not act rashly—only in this way can it be done steadily and securely."

Zhu Youxiao could now see clearly that both Xu Guangqi and Sun Chengzong were actually contending for control over drawing up the list.

It was just that Xu Guangqi was more aggressive and appeared menacing; Sun Chengzong was not like that—he seemed only to want to protect the status quo and avoid stirring things up, but he would also never agree to remove the School of Principle from the imperial examination syllabus.

Although the two sides could not yet be said to be irreconcilable as fire and water, there was absolutely no possibility of reconciliation either.

Sun Chengzong had mentioned the Hanlin Academy—most of those within it were disciples of the School of Principle, with barely a few from the School of Mind. So once the Hanlin Academy was dragged in and more people participated, Xu Guangqi's plan to suppress the School of Principle would fail.

The debate between Xu Guangqi and Sun Chengzong was actually also a test of his own thoughts, because his attitude was the most critical factor in this matter.

"My two lords need not carry on like this—this matter must be deliberated at length. My two lords may first go and make inquiries before speaking further. Once everything has been settled, it will not be too late to discuss this matter again." Zhu Youxiao said with a smile on his face.

At this moment, Zhu Youxiao chose to muddle through.

No one knew what His Majesty was thinking. For a moment, everyone present was at a loss.

However, the matter of drawing up the imperial examination syllabus would surely develop into a great duel between the School of Principle and the School of Mind, driving both sides to want to overwhelm the other as quickly as possible.

Under such circumstances, the matter would certainly produce fierce collisions from the very start. Perhaps this was what His Majesty wanted to see.

Having followed this His Majesty for so long, the five people present also understood in their hearts that His Majesty enjoyed watching his ministers fight, so they would fight for His Majesty to watch.

But there was one thing they did not understand—that Huang Kezuan's behavior was very abnormal.

When things are abnormal, there must be mischief afoot. When they returned, they would have to investigate thoroughly.

After the meeting dispersed, Zhu Youxiao glanced at Chen Hong standing beside him and slowly asked: "What's going on with Huang Kezuan?"

Zhu Youxiao was also curious about this matter—he too wanted to know what exactly was going on, what had driven Huang Kezuan to this point?

This was completely unlike his usual conduct.

"Your Majesty, should this servant go and ask?" Chen Hong said with some hesitation.

Chen Hong's approach indicated that he knew nothing and needed to go ask. This was also a skill—if Chen Hong could directly say why, then he would probably be finished.

Privately investigating a Grand Secretary of the Grand Secretariat was not something Chen Hong should do.

Zhu Youxiao nodded lightly and said: "Fine."

Having received His Majesty's permission, Chen Hong left the great hall, preparing to go inquire for information.

Zhu Youxiao did not wait in place either, but turned and went to Empress Zhang's quarters, intending to chat with Empress Zhang.

After the four Grand Secretaries returned to the Grand Secretariat, news of this meeting spread throughout the court in an instant.

Everyone was shocked—countless people were searching for this man Wei Dazhong.

Some people knew Wei Dazhong, and so felt even more incredulous. Because he was Gao Panlong's student, and these days he had been seeking ways to rescue Gao Panlong.

With so many people paying attention, news quickly came back. The farce at the literary gathering also appeared before everyone's eyes—the quarrel between Wei Dazhong and Song Yingxing became known as well, though it brought them no good news.

"Only the teachings of sages enshrined in the Confucian Temple may be lectured upon"—these words were indeed spoken personally by Wei Dazhong, though no one knew who had reported them to His Majesty.

Whoever had reported this matter to His Majesty surely harbored ill intentions—he wanted everyone to fall into chaos, and he wanted to use this matter to achieve some ulterior purpose.

The first suspect for everyone was Wei Zhongxian.

The court's deliberation had also produced a result: Grand Secretary Huang Kezuan had put forward a new proposal—to draft an imperial examination syllabus.

Within this syllabus, the books and learning to be used in the examinations would be specified in detail, and questions would not target the doctrines of the sages enshrined in the Confucian Temple.

Once this news came out, everyone was at a loss, momentarily unsure whether it was good or bad.

There was still considerable debate, but few dared to openly stand up and oppose it.

Because this time the rationale was more thorough — the Great Ming Dynasty needed to select learning that was useful to the Great Ming Dynasty. If anyone opposed it from that angle, it would be equivalent to opposing the Great Ming itself.

Even if you had no such intention, it would be all too easy for someone to pin that label on you.

What more people focused on was how to determine who would decide the imperial examination outline. Because once it was settled, it would affect the futures of countless people.

Huang Kezuan's residence.

The sun had set and the moon had risen; the sky had grown dark. The night breeze carried a hint of late-spring chill. Though summer was fast approaching, the temperature at night was still relatively low, so there were few pedestrians on the streets.

After returning to his home, Huang Kezuan saw his son walking over to greet him.

Though Huang Kezuan's family could be considered one that passed down learning through poetry, and there was no shortage of talent in the clan, this son of his was somewhat lacking — after passing the juren examination, he had never managed to pass the jinshi, so in recent years he had always stayed by his father's side.

Huang Kezuan did not think his son was lacking in diligence; he simply felt his son was not skilled at taking examinations. His scholarship was not a problem. Moreover, because he was at odds with the Donglin Faction, his son had sometimes been deliberately suppressed as well.

Seeing his son, Huang Kezuan smiled at him and said in a gentle tone, "You're still waiting at this late hour? Didn't I tell you there's no need to wait like this?"

"Between father and son, there's no need for such formality. I don't know when I'll be back — don't leave your wife to spend the night alone." Though he said this, the smile on Huang Kezuan's face was still very bright.

Clearly, Huang Kezuan was quite pleased with his son's filial devotion.

"If Father doesn't return, your son cannot rest easy at heart." Huang Yongji said with a smile.

Nodding, Huang Kezuan walked into the house supported by his son. After sitting down, he took the warm tea his son handed him, took a light sip, then let out a breath and said, "Alright, if there's something you want to say, go ahead."

Huang Yongji smiled faintly and said, "Nothing can be hidden from Father. Your son does indeed have some things he wishes to ask. Is the news that came today true? Is the court really planning to draft an imperial examination outline? And has the court truly heeded the words of that Wei Dazhong?"

Lifting his head to glance at his son, Huang Kezuan said with some helplessness, "News certainly travels fast. But the news is true. As for whether they believe Wei Dazhong's words, you needn't ask such a question. What difference does believing or not believing make? Things have already come to this pass."

Huang Yongji nodded and asked again, "But was it Father who proposed the matter of the imperial examination outline?"

Huang Kezuan nodded once more and said with a smile, "Do you think your father shouldn't have made such a proposal, or have people outside been saying your father did something wrong?"

Huang Yongji shook his head and said with a smile, "Since Father did this, naturally he had his own calculations. Your son won't presume to show off his meager skills before an expert. As for outside opinion, it's actually quite favorable — people feel Father made His Majesty change his mind."

Huang Kezuan could well imagine this, because that was indeed what he had done. If he had not made the proposal, His Majesty might have moved against the Confucian Temple.

The situation was much better now — His Majesty had not touched the Confucian Temple, so the outcome was considerably improved.

Glancing at his son, Huang Kezuan said with a smile, "I just hope they won't curse me in the future."

Glancing at his father, Huang Yongji asked with some hesitation, "Father, what are you planning to do?"

After a brief moment of deliberation, Huang Kezuan said slowly, "There's no need to hide it from you. It's actually related to what you told me that day — the matter of that Song Yingxing. Do you still remember the young man you mentioned who was together with Song Yingxing?"

Huang Yongji nodded and said with a smile, "Of course I remember. That day I found the two of them quite interesting, so I wanted to go up and make their acquaintance. That literary gathering was actually quite dull, but those two were somewhat intriguing."

"Your son watched them for a long time. That Song Yingxing was nothing special, but the young man was quite interesting. When they left, your son followed them for a stretch of road and overheard them discussing some interesting things. It seemed the young man was very fond of Xunzi, and he even questioned Song Yingxing into speechlessness. Your son came back and told Father about it."

"It's just that when they parted ways that day, your son wanted to go up and make their acquaintance, but after a few turns the two of them had vanished from sight. So I missed the chance to meet them."