Chapter 1235: Uncle Li

"Is this the only school in all of Fengzhou?" Stepping out of the academy named "Zhihe," Emperor Liu couldn't help but turn back for another look, asking Feng Guang.

"Your Majesty, Fengzhou has few people, and most commoners are weary of study, focused on food and clothing, unwilling to send their sons to school. Your servant established this academy only after much persuasion and waiving of tuition fees, and only then did these thirty-odd school-age students come." Feng Guang explained.

As he spoke, a hint of emotion appeared on his face: "Even so, once children reach ten years of age, many families refuse to support their studies further, preferring the students return home to help with farming and herding. Though your servant is angered by their lack of ambition, I cannot force them through administrative orders..."

"Never mind beyond the northern frontier—even in the Central Plains, for an ordinary family, a ten-year-old child can already bear quite a bit of household chores, can't they?" Hearing his description, Emperor Liu said softly.

Feng Guang sighed, nodded, and replied: "Your servant understands. In Fengzhou, for the common people, warmth and survival are the foremost concerns, so I cannot bear to reproach them!"

Hearing the exchange between Emperor Liu and Feng Guang, Li Ye, who was standing off to one side, suddenly spoke up: "Your servant feels that common folk giving up their studies is hardly a loss!"

His words immediately drew everyone's attention. Emperor Liu looked at him and said with a light smile: "And what brilliant insight does my maternal uncle have?"

"I dare not speak of brilliance!" Li Ye clasped his hands in salute and said calmly: "As the ancients said, when granaries are full, one knows propriety; when food and clothing are sufficient, one knows honor and shame. Your servant thinks that things like etiquette, morality, and learning—for these border folk—are probably less attractive than an ox or a sheep.

If a man has no desire to learn, why force him? The school is built; leave its doors open. If someone with foresight comes seeking knowledge, even in the depths of poverty, how could one extinguish their thirst for it? If they lack such ambition, what pity is there in abandoning study?"

As he spoke, Li Ye still cast a cautious glance at Emperor Liu, for in matters of promoting education, Emperor Liu had always maintained a very positive attitude.

But seeing his expressionless face, Li Ye couldn't help but feel some unease inwardly. Still, he continued: "On the other hand, the more these common people know, the more they think, and the more unsettled their hearts become. Better not to teach them. Moreover, most of them will likely never leave Fengzhou in their entire lives, perhaps never even leave their villages and towns. As long as they conduct themselves properly and obey the law, then both officials and people will be at peace..."

Hearing Li Ye's words, those present wore varied expressions, all surprised by Uncle Li's remarks. Emperor Liu also gave him a deep look. Though this was merely a view on education, it reflected Li Ye's political thought and governing philosophy—one that viewed matters entirely from the standpoint of the ruling and privileged classes.

"Uncle, your words likely run contrary to His Majesty's principle of 'education without discrimination'!" Before Emperor Liu could express anything, Zhao Kuangyin spoke up, clearly disagreeing with Li Ye.

Hearing this, Li Ye glanced at Zhao Kuangyin and smiled faintly: "Mere lofty talk! In these hundreds and thousands of years, when has it ever been realized!"

"The court promotes education and encourages scholarship—not only to benefit the people, but also to cultivate talent for the court, so that talent may be selected in the future!" Zhao Kuangyin said.

Li Ye still responded lightly: "The Great Han already has more than enough officials. Where would so many positions come from to satisfy thousands upon thousands of scholars? Each examination cycle selects only a hundred-odd candidates. Having so many scholars compete for such few opportunities—their hopes are slim to begin with. Rather than that, better to let them settle down and farm and pay taxes..."

At this point, Li Ye glanced at Emperor Liu again and continued: "Your Majesty promotes education and nurtures scholars—this is indeed beneficial to the state. But it should also be targeted. Compared to the impractical 'education without discrimination,' teaching according to aptitude better cultivates talent and also saves considerable expense! Those truly devoted to learning, those truly capable of learning—those are the ones the court should support and foster..."

"If those old pedants at court heard these words of yours, Uncle, they might well kick up a fuss!" Having silently listened to the debate between the two, Emperor Liu finally spoke, addressing Li Ye.

From Emperor Liu's words and expression, it was difficult to discern his intent, so Li Ye continued to state his views: "The views of stale Confucians! They think themselves capable of aiding the world, yet when they govern, government collapses; when they rule the people, the people grow restless..."

Noticing Li Ye's contemptuous tone and demeanor, Emperor Liu finally raised his hand to stop him: "Enough!"

"Yes!" Li Ye, who had been constantly watching Emperor Liu's reaction, immediately clasped his hands again and fell silent.

As for Emperor Liu, he did not pursue further discussion on the matter. In fact, Li Ye's views, to a certain extent, aligned with Emperor Liu's own thinking—or rather, catered to Emperor Liu's notions. Emperor Liu, of course, hoped that the people of the Great Han would all be obedient and docile, as Li Ye had said—conducting themselves properly, paying their taxes honestly, and having no other thoughts or ideas beyond that...

Simply put, a herd of ignorant people is easier for the court to govern.

Of course, Emperor Liu was not so narrow-minded, nor would he issue policies to shackle thought. In recent years, all aspects of life among officials and commoners of the Great Han had remained quite vibrant.

Standing in Li Ye's position, he had the right and the reason to propose such educational philosophy. But Emperor Liu needed to consider more, and more comprehensively. At all times, the word "balance" ran through his thoughts and actions.

The solidification of class, with the passage of time, would gradually take shape. Emperor Liu had no confidence in preventing it; in his lifetime, he could only suppress it, striving to maintain relative fairness for the realm.

But if the educational system were implemented according to Li Ye's ideas, and educational policies formulated accordingly, that would simply accelerate the solidification of class.

"This Zhihe Academy has only that one teacher?" Setting aside his thoughts, Emperor Liu deliberately changed the subject, asking Feng Guang.

Feng Guang said: "Your servant and the clerks of the prefectural office take turns coming to teach when we are free from official duties!"

"You really do handle everything yourself for a Prefect!" Emperor Liu smiled, then suddenly thought of something and asked directly: "If I remember correctly, there is a great scholar within Fengzhou's borders—why not employ him?"

"Hm?" Feng Guang was somewhat surprised, not reacting at first. After thinking for a moment, his eyes brightened slightly, and he ventured: "Your Majesty refers to—Xu Xuan?"

"Who else could it be?" Emperor Liu said flatly.

Meeting Emperor Liu's gaze, Feng Guang explained: "Your Majesty, Xu Xuan was convicted and exiled to the frontier—he is a criminal. How could your servant invite him to manage the official academy?"

Looking at Feng Guang, Emperor Liu said in a joking tone: "Those sentenced to exile are under your jurisdiction to begin with. How to use them is a local matter. You're not holding back because you heard those rumors and think this man offended me, are you?"

Emperor Liu's words made Feng Guang's heart leap with alarm. Not knowing how to respond, he could only bow with a fearful expression: "Your servant is terrified!"

"Where is Xu Xuan now?" Emperor Liu did not press him further, asking directly.

"Those serving exile sentences are generally assigned as servants under various officials, laboring to atone for their crimes and receiving rations. Considering that Xu Xuan is a scholar and cannot do heavy labor, these years he has been herding sheep at the foot of Mouna Mountain!"

"Having Xu Xuan herd sheep—what were you thinking! Writing books and treatises is this man's strength. Can he herd sheep? Does he know how?" Emperor Liu shook his head.

Hearing this, Feng Guang hesitated for a moment. But seeing that Emperor Liu showed no aversion toward Xu Xuan—indeed, quite the opposite, showing concern—he said: "At Mouna Mountain, there are over a hundred herder households. The surrounding herders have been of some help to Xu Xuan, and each year he is able to deliver the full quota of sheepskins..."