Chapter 2112: Taizong Arc 54: The Emperor's Approval

For Loujiang Academy, the autumn of the thirteenth year of Yongxi was truly a fortunate season. In early autumn, the Prince of Linzi had paid a visit, and two months later, the Son of Heaven of the Great Han, the supreme ruler of the entire empire, came to inspect.

For the hundred-odd teachers and students in the academy, it was a mix of surprise and delight. There were hundreds upon thousands of academies and schools across the realm, but only eight or nine were famous throughout the world, and those personally inspected by the Son of Heaven could be counted on one hand.

Yet Loujiang Academy, newly established and utterly unknown, without a great scholar of the age in residence, and without famous officials among its alumni to lend it prestige, had welcomed the true dragon. Wasn't such fortune enough to make every academy and school in the realm green with envy?

The one who was almost faint with excitement was, without a doubt, the academy head Wang Xuexin. How fortunate he was, to have actually been granted a face-to-face audience with His Majesty the Emperor, consulted on matters of education and learning. Such an opportunity—let alone his fellow colleagues from Suiyang Academy, how many of those erudite scholars and renowned masters could claim it?

Of course, the inspection process did not unfold as Wang Xuexin had hoped—ruler and minister seated face to face, sipping tea and discussing philosophy, with him calmly expounding his scholarly philosophy and ideological views to the Emperor.

The actual process was plain, dull, even tedious. More than an academy head and scholar, he was like a tour guide, leading the Emperor and his entourage on a walk through the academy's pavilions and halls, admiring the scenery of Loujiang, and looking at the academy's teaching environment.

There was almost no opportunity for Wang Xuexin to lecture on his doctrines, and rather than listening to Wang Xuexin talk about his "personal wares," Liu Yang showed more interest in the students of the academy. He even casually called out a few students to ask about their backgrounds, their studies, and their aspirations. The image of the Great Han's Son of Heaven as kind and approachable was thus firmly rooted in the hearts of this batch of Loujiang Academy teachers and students.

He stayed a full three days in this most innovative and distinctive academy of the Great Han Empire, thoroughly understanding every detail from top to bottom, before the imperial carriage set off, crossing the Zhihe River and heading for Shanghai.

The imperial carriage moved slowly along the dirt road, jolting and bumping, swaying so much it made one extremely uncomfortable. Even in a place as prosperous as Jiangnan, not all roads were flat and broad. Of course, once they reached the main highway, the situation improved considerably, and carriages, horses, and pedestrians became noticeably more frequent.

Inside the carriage, the Prince of Linzi, Liu Wenji, was once again summoned by edict to board. After carefully studying this second son for a while, Liu Yang spoke: "Regarding Loujiang Academy, what exactly are your considerations?"

Clearly, the Emperor knew the ins and outs of Loujiang Academy, and after personally inspecting its educational purpose and teaching philosophy this time, a hint of gravity even appeared on Liu Yang's stern face.

Liu Wenji cautiously glanced at his imperial father, his expression also turning solemn. After deliberating for a moment, he spoke in a cautious tone: "When your subject previously served at the Jianghai Customs, I felt the burden of affairs was heavy, and talent versed in tax law and tax accounting was scarce. The various levels of clerical staff were either lacking in ability or short in numbers, greatly hindering the efficient and orderly operation of the customs."

"At the same time, similar situations existed within the various government offices. Therefore, your subject attempted to organize and coordinate in these three prefectures, establishing this academy, specifically to train clerical personnel for the three local governments, to make up for the shortage of clerical talent."

"Do you not know that the court is currently in the process of trimming redundant personnel from all levels of government?" Liu Yang asked coldly.

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenji nodded slightly and said calmly: "Your subject believes that Your Majesty's trimming of redundant officials is an utterly correct reform measure. Even in the three places of Suzhou, Xiuzhou, and Shanghai, the redundant officials trimmed at all levels in the past two years number around two hundred.

"However, your subject also believes that what the court ought to trim are those who hold positions without doing anything, who draw salaries without merit, or those of poor talent and virtue who commit crimes.

"On the contrary, for those clerks with real talent who can accomplish practical things, the court should encourage and promote them.

"And the current common practice of selecting clerks in the Great Han officialdom is mostly done through private selection and appointment by various ranking officials. After several rounds of observation and research, your subject conceived the idea of establishing a school of clerical governance.

"With the government taking the lead in establishing the school, dispatching an academy head and professors to manage and educate, specifically training the clerical governance talent the government lacks—your subject does not know the merits and demerits, success or failure of this endeavor, but it is always an attempt."

At this point, Liu Wenji paused, then looked up at Liu Yang and said in a deep voice: "On the other hand, when it comes to handling specific official matters and mundane affairs, ten great Confucian scholars steeped in poetry and classics, deeply versed in the histories and the classics, may not be as effective as one ordinary scholar who has thoroughly studied law and agricultural books, is familiar with people's livelihoods and human sentiments, and skillfully employs arithmetic and mathematical techniques!"

Hearing Liu Wenji say this, Liu Yang was slightly taken aback, then couldn't help but speak: "This statement is too arbitrary, is it not somewhat biased!"

Liu Wenji said: "It may be somewhat biased, but it is the most profound feeling your subject has gained from these years of experience in the Jiangnan Circuit!

"The various government offices across the land are like ships. To sail steadily, besides needing the court-appointed officials to steer and handle the sails, they also need a great number of sailors and crew to assist, only then can they ride the wind and break the waves.

"The vast number of clerical staff at all levels is an indispensable part of the court's governance, and they are also the transmitters and executors of many policies and orders. They play a significant role in the consolidation of the rivers and mountains and the stability of the state."

Liu Yang's brows furrowed involuntarily. After pondering for a while, he looked up at Liu Wenji and said softly: "Since the time of Shizu, has the court ever neglected the role of the vast clerical staff? What I am curious about is that you too have studied the Four Books and Five Classics since childhood, learning the words of the sages, yet from what you say, you don't seem fond of employing them in governing and managing the people?

"If these words of yours were to spread, being branded 'heretical and rebellious' by those old Confucian scholars in the forest of literati would be the least of it.

"Moreover, among the court ministers who hold high positions and wield great power, there is no shortage of great Confucian scholars who have read widely and are learned beyond measure—they are equally shrewd and capable!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenji immediately cupped his hands and said: "Your subject would never dare to despise the words of the ancient sages and worthies. The number of clerical staff in the realm is dozens of times that of court-appointed officials. People are of good and bad, talent is of high and low—how could everyone possess the endowments of the high ministers and worthy officials at court?

"Moreover, the classical teachings of the former sages have not been abandoned. For instance, the hundred-odd students at Loujiang Academy all have a foundation of basic education.

"Your subject still remembers a teaching from Shizu in his youth, saying that the ways of governance, methods of ruling the state, and strategies for managing the people summarized by the former sages and wise men can only serve as guiding principles for consolidating the court's rule and maintaining the rivers and mountains of the state. But to make the entire country operate and develop smoothly and orderly, specific methods and specific people are also needed. It is only in recent years that your subject has gradually realized that the methods and people Shizu spoke of perhaps refer to the many institutions, regulations, laws, and statutes of the Great Han, and the tens of thousands of officials and clerks of the Great Han.

"Furthermore, Shizu did not favor old Confucian scholars, and Your Majesty has always advocated the rule of law, yet the Great Han Empire has still developed so prosperously. From this it can be seen that the governance of the state must focus on the practical, and cannot blindly indulge in empty theorizing.

"In the matter of selecting clerks, the court ought to pay due attention as well."

After hearing Liu Wenji's eloquent discourse, Liu Yang couldn't help but gaze at him, a hint of complexity in his eyes. To be fair, this was the first time his second son had expounded to him his understanding and views on governing the state, administering affairs, managing the people, and employing talent.

"Your subject speaks recklessly! If anything is improper, I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!" Noticing Liu Yang's gaze, Liu Wenji added.

Liu Yang waved his hand, a slight smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, and said with great emotion: "On this matter, your insight is far greater than mine."

How would Liu Wenji dare to accept such a compliment? He said with slight nervousness: "Your Majesty's wisdom and insight, far-sighted and profound, how could your subject possibly compare."

Liu Yang gently shook his head and said: "My reduction of redundant officials and clerks—even if I were to dismiss ten thousand clerical staff, it would only be like adding boiling water to stop the boiling. Cutting people is easy; establishing a system and rules for cultivating and selecting clerical talent is very difficult.

"And what you are doing in promoting the establishment of Loujiang Academy is precisely this. If it can proceed smoothly, it will be of great significance to the selection and cultivation of clerical talent throughout the Great Han.

"This is even a kind of reform. Think carefully—the Great Han has the civil and military examinations to select officials, but for the appointment of clerical staff, there is no clear and complete institutional standard. Everything is decided entirely by the judgment and personal preference of officials at all levels. This is something to be concerned about.

"What you want to do is to change a practice that has prevailed for thousands of years—this is no easy matter. At present, Loujiang Academy is still very small, limited to the three places of Suzhou, Xiuzhou, and Shanghai, with few students, and no results yet to show. It doesn't attract much attention.

"However, once it is publicized, or even intended to be promoted broadly, it will face layers of resistance!

"Do you know why?"

The Emperor's words made Liu Wenji's expression turn serious, even somewhat grave. His mind immediately recalled the difficulties in trimming redundant clerks in the various government offices of the Jiangnan Circuit over the past two years—all kinds of delays and obstacles, and all sorts of strange talk.

After careful thought, Liu Wenji looked at Liu Yang and said in a deep voice: "If this succeeds, it will gradually encroach upon the power of officials at all levels, especially the various chief officials, in the appointment and management of clerical staff."

Liu Yang neither confirmed nor denied this answer. Instead, he leaned back, arranging himself in a lazy posture, then said softly: "Let's first see how Loujiang Academy performs. Just as you said, it is always worth an attempt!"

"Yes!" This counted as receiving recognition from the Emperor. Liu Wenji felt a slight joy in his heart and declared solemnly.

"You may withdraw!" Liu Yang waved his hand at Liu Wenji, closed his eyes, and looked weary.

"Your subject takes his leave!"

Only after Liu Wenji left the carriage did Liu Yang open his eyes. A look of hesitation and uncertainty appeared in his old eyes, but in the end, it dissolved into a long, drawn-out sigh.

In the autumn of the thirteenth year of Yongxi, in the ninth month, Emperor Liu Yang came to Shanghai for the first time in his life—this long-famous, rapidly developing, most unique coastal city of the Great Han.

On the day the imperial carriage arrived, the entire city of Shanghai was in an uproar. Even though the field headquarters and all government offices from the circuit down had issued clear orders that no welcome was needed, and that the common people should stay peacefully in their homes and happily at their work, still over a hundred thousand Shanghai residents gathered to warmly welcome the arrival of His Majesty.

As the imperial carriage slowly made its way toward the office district in the center of Shanghai, on both sides of the road, densely packed crowds knelt in a great swath.

This time, Wang Xuanzhen candidly told the Emperor that there truly had been no organized arrangement—everything was purely voluntary on the part of the gentry and commoners, with government officials and soldiers only maintaining crowd control and public order.

To this, Liu Yang could only be moved by the "simplicity" and enthusiasm of Shanghai's gentry and commoners.

I originally wanted to finish the Taizong Chronicles, but I've had a bad cold these past two days, my mind is a complete fog, and writing feels like being constipated. This chapter ends here.