Chapter 27: Half Saint Arrives, New Learning Shines, Heaven and Earth Astonished

September 25th.

For the whole Da Xia Capital, some minor events occurred over these seven days.

The Suspended Lantern Department cracked down on all sorts of folk rumors, arresting many, but imposed no severe punishments, only issuing verbal warnings.

It can be considered an effective halt to the spread of rumors.

At the same time, other rumors also began to circulate.

This time the Dean of Da Xia Academy was not appointed by the Minister of Rites; it is said that the Minister of Rites protected his granddaughter and deliberately framed the senior member of the Gu Family, Gu Jin Nian.

As a result he lost his literary integrity, was impeached and removed, losing the position of Dean of Da Xia Academy.

Such gossip originally meant little, but once attached to the Da Xia Academy it took on a different significance.

For a while it also sparked heated discussion among the people.

After all, Gu Jin Nian's affairs were off‑limits, so there had to be some other topic.

However, these were merely matters of public discourse.

At present the whole Da Xia Capital is most concerned with the Da Xia Academy, which is about to reopen for the new term.

Within the capital, during this period, many new faces have been arriving one after another.

It is much livelier than before.

At this very moment.

Inside the Da Xia Academy.

A carriage slowly appeared within the academy grounds.

The Da Xia Academy, located on the western outskirts of Da Xia Capital, spans 3,500 mu, contains thirty‑six great halls honoring Confucian and Daoist sages, countless courtyards, jade‑like towers and crystal‑like chambers, blue tiles and vermilion eaves, criss‑crossing in grandeur.

This is the Da Xia Academy.

Just the student dormitories number over a hundred rooms, making it Da Xia's highest academy.

With the arrival of the carriage.

Hundreds gathered at the academy's gate, appearing unusually respectful.

Among these people, there were no shortage of Great Scholars.

Yet they still appeared respectful.

Because the person in the carriage was one of Da Xia's Confucian‑Daoist representatives, Su Wenjing.

Alas.

As a voice sounded.

The carriage halted.

Then an elderly man in plain robes slowly stepped down from the carriage.

The elder's head was full of white hair, yet he was full of vigor, his face kind, his eyes clear, without a hint of turbidity.

More importantly, an aura radiated around him, the lofty righteous Qi of Confucian‑Daoist virtue.

A blue‑white hue, discernible only to Great Scholars.

"We pay our respects to the Half Saint."

The next moment, hundreds bowed deeply toward the elder in unison, showing respect, calling him the Half Saint.

"You all speak too highly."

"You are being modest."

Su Wenjing stepped down from the carriage, observed the crowd's reverence, and returned the greeting without any affectation.

"Sir, you are immensely talented; though you are not a Half Saint, you are only half a step away, and we revere you, so calling you a Half Saint is indeed appropriate."

"Indeed, indeed."

"Half Saint Wenjing's personal visit to the Da Xia Academy makes the halls shine."

The crowd spoke again, each face respectful and modest.

The person before them was indeed a contemporary Confucian‑Daoist representative.

Now he has even been summoned by His Majesty, his status lofty, making them dare not be presumptuous.

"Sir, please follow me."

At that moment, Zhang Yunhai's figure appeared, his expression respectful, inviting Su Wenjing into the academy's inner hall.

The latter nodded, his demeanor gentle, and walked toward the inner hall.

Soon, after about a quarter of an hour.

The crowd arrived at the inner hall.

Without waiting for Su Wenjing to speak, he was placed on the principal seat, while the others each found seats and sat down.

"Mr. Wenjing, the journey by carriage has been tiring; thank you for your effort."

Zhang Yunhai spoke; today he came on behalf of Minister of Rites Yang Kai.

"The scenery accompanied us all the way; it was not tiring."

Su Wenjing smiled faintly.

He sat upright on the chief seat of the main hall.

Though he showed no hint of sharpness, his face even gentle, the emanating lofty righteous Qi shocked everyone present.

This power was terrifying, it was the will of a saint.

Though Su Wenjing has not fully become a Half Saint, he is indeed close, otherwise such terrifying aura could not arise.

As the crowd settled, a voice also sounded.

"Mr. Wenjing."

"I never imagined that one day His Majesty would actually summon you to take charge of the Da Xia Academy."

We are overjoyed in our hearts; with Mr. Wenjing here, Da Xia Academy will surely rise even higher.

However, Mr. has just arrived; the academy has many buildings, many people, complicated. If there are any places not fully understood, just speak up, and we will arrange everything properly.

Zhang Yunhai spoke.

Upon saying this, everyone immediately showed a smile.

Because these words carry another meaning.

Just speak up, and we will arrange everything properly; the implication is, since you are highly respected and virtuous, and were invited by His Majesty, we also find it hard to say anything; however, Da Xia Academy has many people and places, overly complicated; for you, sir, teaching is fine, but other matters, we can handle them.

If there is anything you order, if we can do it, we will do it; if we cannot, we believe you will understand us.

At the head seat.

Upon hearing this, Su Wenjing's expression did not change at all.

He merely directed his gaze toward the crowd.

But it was just that glance.

In an instant, an invisible force spread throughout the hall, and everyone felt a tremendous pressure.

Such pressure makes the soul tremble.

In an instant, everyone spoke cautiously.

They realized that they had been somewhat ridiculous just now.

This person before us is an existence infinitely close to a Half Saint, moreover a representative of the orthodox Confucian-Daoist tradition, and furthermore a great figure invited three times by His Majesty.

How dare we bargain with such a person? Are we not afraid of death? 'Of course, we will naturally follow Mr.'s intention.'

Mr.'s wisdom is beyond our reach; I expect that in just a few days, Mr. will know everything.

Zhang Yunhai hastily spoke up, correcting what he had just said.

You all are too kind.

As long as we can teach the students well, everything will be fine.

Su Wenjing smiled lightly, and then that pressure instantly vanished.

Immediately afterward, he took out a small book from his sleeve and slowly placed it on the table.

'I have retired in seclusion for fourteen years, and have gained many insights in teaching.'

'This time His Majesty has invited me here, and it is also a good opportunity to put these insights into practice, to see if we can cultivate some talents for our Da Xia.'

'Looking at Da Xia since its founding, the three successive emperors have all respected us scholars.' 'Even the annual appropriations, establishing academies, nurturing students.'

'However, in recent years, I have occasionally discovered that seven or eight out of ten people who study are reading dead books.'

'After fourteen years of contemplation, it has suddenly enlightened me; therefore I have written this article, taking Da Xia Academy as the starting point, to promote the New Learning.'

Su Wenjing spoke.

He expressed his own idea.

But as soon as he finished speaking, everyone showed a look of astonishment.

They did not expect that Su Wenjing's visit this time was not merely to teach, but to promote the New Learning? This is no small matter.

'May I ask, Mr., what is the New Learning?'

Zhang Yunhai opened his mouth to inquire.

'Establishing virtue comes first, studying comes after.'

'According to the individual, teaching without distinction.'

Su Wenjing spoke calmly, and then continued speaking.

'All academies under heaven teach people to read; in my view, it is nothing but rote memorization.'

'Without virtue, how can one understand the principles in the books?'

'Furthermore, we scholars should not judge superiority solely by poetry and prose; we should let a hundred flowers bloom, each having its own strengths.'

'This time, Da Xia Academy's admissions must no longer follow the old rules for selection.'

'We should adopt the New Learning; those who enter the academy must possess virtue, and those without virtue must not be admitted.'

'Furthermore, we will establish halls for music, chess, calligraphy, painting, heavenly crafts, geography, livelihood agriculture, etc., placing poetry and prose last, and implementing teaching without distinction.'

'In other words, anyone with a specialty may enter Da Xia Academy, regardless of gender or occupation.'

Su Wenjing expounded his New Learning.

At this moment, everyone present could no longer sit still.

Originally, listening seemed fine, but now upon hearing it, we feel the problem is too great.

Teaching without distinction?

Music, chess, calligraphy, painting, heavenly crafts, geography, livelihood agriculture—are these also accepted? More importantly, the fact that it is regardless of gender or occupation is even more a challenge to their bottom line and interests.

What place is Da Xia Academy? It is the highest institution of learning in Da Xia.

Those who can study here are all promising scholars; where do these scholars come from?

Nothing more than aristocratic clans or impoverished noble sons.

However, even impoverished noble sons often have some clan connections behind them; without clan support, wanting to study all the way up, among millions of scholars, one cannot find a single one.

In other words, following the usual practice, the students of Da Xia Academy are basically their people.

Perhaps not direct descendants, but perhaps certain friends, certain colleagues, or even descendants of one's own clan behind.

Thus forming a huge network of connections and power.

Looking through ancient and modern times, which dynasty is immortal? Yet there are long-enduring clans.

And the roots of these clans mainly lie in the various academies, extending even to Da Xia Academy, the highest institution of learning.

Now Su Wenjing's words have made them realize that trouble is coming.

Teaching without distinction.

They established diverse courses, and they didn't care about anything.

If poetry and prose are not the main focus, the selection rights are directly taken away; then supporting a batch of genuine poor-family disciples, this becomes a new emerging force.

Once they enter the court in the future, this force will threaten them.

But this is not what alarms them.

The real reason is, who invited Su Wenjing? It was the present emperor who invited him.

Does this mean His Majesty intends to support a new emerging force, unrelated to the aristocratic clans, to suppress them?

They don't know.

They also dare not be certain.

But regardless of whether it is or not.

They cannot agree to this.

"Sir."

"The New Learning is indeed excellent; 'Teaching Without Class' is truly unheard of, really making us admire it immensely."

"However, this matter still needs to be discussed with Sir Yang Kai; after all, in about ten days, the Da Xia Academy's admissions will begin."

"If we make temporary changes, I'm afraid it will be somewhat troublesome."

Zhang Yunhai spoke.

This matter definitely cannot be agreed to, but he didn't refuse, and it's even impossible to oppose a near Half Saint.

He could only use this euphemistic approach.

However, as soon as he said that, the others had not yet echoed.

Su Wenjing's voice sounded involuntarily.

"Yang Kai?"

"I haven't seen him for decades; I vaguely recall that when I was in charge of Tianlu Academy, Yang Kai was my student."

"Now it seems he has become the Minister of Rites of Da Xia; truly imposing."

"Dare to consult with me on how to teach."

"It seems he's really made something of himself."

"You all are not bad either; it's just that I'm no longer capable."

Su Wenjing said calmly and composedly.

In an instant.

Everyone hurriedly rose and bowed to Su Wenjing.

"Sir, you are being overly serious."

"We have no such intention."

Everyone hurriedly bowed, they dare not accept it.

Each one dared not speak further.

"Alright."

"No need to ask Yang Kai."

"Whether he agrees or not, it's fine."

"I am stubborn by nature; once decided, I will not change."

"As for the matter of opening the school, you all need not worry; I have already prepared it, just need to issue it according to the announcement."

Su Wenjing said calmly.

His tone brooked no doubt and allowed no one to defy.

Looking at Su Wenjing's solemn expression.

Everyone fully understood; this person before them intended to undertake a great undertaking.

However, just as someone was about to say something.

All of a sudden.

A heaven-shaking, earth-shattering sound.

It resounded throughout the entire heaven and earth.

The sound.

Deafening.

Everyone present heard it clearly.

(End of chapter)