Chapter 201: Mind Learning, Confucianism, or Science?

Zhang Yunxiu and Zhang Fu walked quickly to a four-cornered pavilion where a light was shining.

Suddenly, Zhang Yunxiu stopped in his tracks and asked Zhang Fu, who was following at his heels: "That man, is he really a disciple of Wang Gen?"

Zhang Fu panted out two puffs of white mist before replying: "Care, care whether he is or not; these days, any arrogant scholar will claim to be a disciple of the Sage Wang."

Zhang Yunxiu thought that was true too.

Wang Gen was a direct disciple of Wang Yangming and, furthermore, the founder of the "Taizhou School."

Nowadays, as long as someone admires Wang Yangming's Mind Learning, they will all drag Wang Yangming in to bolster their own prestige. It is hard to impersonate a disciple of Wang Yangming, but a second-generation disciple of Wang Yangming should generally pass.

The person inside the pavilion was one who claimed to be a second-generation disciple of Wang Gen.

Mind Learning and Confucianism had always been at odds; one emphasized "let the ruler be a ruler, the subject a subject, the father a father, the son a son."

Mind Learning emphasized "investigating things to extend knowledge" and held those Confucian shackles in disdain.

There were even arrogant ones who put forth such rebellious slogans as "everyone can become a sage."

Such a slogan was obviously extremely attractive.

Angry youth were not a minority in any era, and the philosophy of this Mind Learning happened to allow these young people to resonate.

Thus, apart from Confucianism, the second-largest school of thought in Great Ming was Wang Yangming's Mind Learning. In most southern regions, the prosperity of Mind Learning even suppressed orthodox Confucianism.

Today, upon hearing Zhang Fu say that a successor of Mind Learning had come to the door.

Zhang Yunxiu knew that this person was mostly here to stir up trouble.

But he also understood that this was an opportunity—a chance to completely hide himself behind the scenes and shift the conflict between the imperial court and the Kong Family onto the struggle between the two major factions of "Mind Learning" and "Confucianism."

After thinking it over, Zhang Yunxiu decided to meet this "Master."

Straightening his clothes and cap, Zhang Yunxiu stepped inside, with Zhang Fu following behind carrying a large red paper lantern.

Pushing open the door, Zhang Yunxiu took a look inside.

A middle-aged scholar of about forty years old was sitting upright at the round table in the center.

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu and his companion enter, the middle-aged scholar smiled faintly, stood up, and bowed to the two of them with cupped hands: "He Zheng, greets Director Zhang."

Zhang Yunxiu nodded slightly, walked over to sit beside He Zheng, and He Zheng sat down as well.

Zhang Fu respectfully refilled the tea for the two of them and then quietly retreated.

Because the two were not yet familiar with each other, Zhang Yunxiu did not lay his cards on the table with him, but only asked in a stiff tone: "Sir, you are in such a hurry, what exactly have you come for?"

"For the living people of the world!" He Zheng took a small sip of tea and replied with a look of pride.

Seeing this fellow getting arrogant, Zhang Yunxiu gave a cold laugh and muttered: "Then you have found the wrong person, Sir. You should go find the Bodhisattva in the temple for that, or go find the Emperor; finding me is likely useless."

He Zheng did not answer, only rolling his eyes to stare at Zhang Yunxiu.

Their gazes met, and Zhang Yunxiu did not give an inch. After a long while, He Zheng was the first to break the stalemate: "Everyone says Director Zhang has thunderous methods but a Bodhisattva's heart. My coming to you to save the living people of the world is not finding the wrong person."

"Sir, you overrate me." Zhang Yunxiu laughed and brushed it off.

However, his tone was much softer than before, no longer so hard and grating.

Seeing Zhang Yunxiu unmoved by favor or humiliation, He Zheng was secretly shocked: This person is only in his early twenties, yet his cultivation of inner calm is airtight. Clearly, he should be the one begging me, but now it has turned into me having to beg him.

Knowing that someone had to speak first today, He Zheng simply laid it out: "I have come for the Kong Family."

"The Kong Family... what about the Kong Family?" Zhang Yunxiu tried his best to appear calm.

"Sigh, if Director Zhang is still going to say that, then I have nothing more to say and will leave now." He Zheng widened his eyes, his face turning dark, making a show of wanting to leave.

Zhang Yunxiu grabbed He Zheng's sleeve and signaled for him to sit down. After a brief clash, Zhang Yunxiu finally began to discuss the real business with him: "You must know about the Emperor's edict today. Duke Yansheng is held in the Emperor's heart; he is not someone that two small characters can easily topple."

"Director Zhang, the Kong Family has deep roots; it cannot be shaken in a day or two, you and I both know this." He Zheng nodded, then licked his lips, and said with burning eyes, expressing the thoughts in his heart: "What the Kong Family relies on is nothing more than the reverence of the scholars of the world."

"As long as... as long as your esteemed father and you can support my Mind Learning. Let us open more academies in the capital to enlighten the wisdom of the masses, and the foundations of the Kong Family will sooner or later be severed."

Regarding this farce, He Zheng had been observing in secret all along.

From Zhang Juzheng signing the assessment of the academy scholars, to Hai Rui entering Qufu, and then to the big drama performed by Han San and Zhao Wenshan.

He Zheng had always maintained the posture of an outsider, yet was ready to enter the fray at any time.

Mind Learning was already prosperous enough in the south.

In the north, and even within the imperial court, it was still a minority. If... if he could expand Mind Learning to the north, how would future generations record him, He Zheng?

Not to mention being called an ancestor or a sage.

He would at least be a giant who founded a school within Mind Learning.

Therefore, when he learned that the Zhang Family father and son did not like Confucianism, he made up his mind to come and lobby Zhang Yunxiu.

For one, Zhang Yunxiu had a good relationship with the Emperor and would inevitably have great influence in the court in the future.

And for another, young people are always easier to incite.

Opposite him, Zhang Yunxiu listened to He Zheng's narrative, but inwardly he sneered. Enlightening the wisdom of the masses in the world, it sounds nice, but isn't it just preparing to spread his own teachings?

If one is to spread something, it should be Science.

This Mind Learning of yours is almost catching up to theology.

Thinking of Science, Zhang Yunxiu suddenly remembered two people: one was Xu Guangqi, and the other was that missionary Matteo Ricci.

These two were great treasures.

They should be recruited to the capital.

"Director Zhang." Seeing Zhang Yunxiu sitting there in a daze, He Zheng felt his heart pounding, so he called out in a low voice.

"Ah?! Please speak, Mr. He." Zhang Yunxiu was startled awake.

"I wonder what Young Master Zhang thinks?"

"About what?"

He Zheng's face twitched; had he just said all that for nothing? However, since he was the one asking for help, He Zheng suppressed his inner anger and repeated his previous words once more.

"Oh, this matter is indeed feasible." Zhang Yunxiu nodded lightly.

"Really?!" He Zheng was immediately overjoyed and cried out involuntarily.

"Mr. He, don't be happy just yet." Zhang Yunxiu patted the table and continued, "For these lectures in the capital, you all have to find a place yourselves, don't you? The land prices in the capital are not cheap."

"The Director need not worry about that. In the west of the city, my fellow disciples and I have already purchased two plots of land. As long as the Grand Secretary and the Director support our lecturing, the school can be started."

Money was not the problem.

The most important thing was to have the support of the prominent officials in the imperial court.

Seeing that he had spoken to this point, Zhang Yunxiu could not refuse, so he nodded in silent agreement and said, "Since you have this intention, then go ahead and lecture. Perhaps when the time comes, I will also set up a school right next to yours."

"Hahaha, then I would certainly like to go and listen."

(End of this chapter)