Chapter 1119: The Great Way of Education Lies in Books

A single sentence from Liu Zheng left everyone stunned.

"What did you say?"

"Vice Minister Liu..."

"Writing reform?"

The Scholars of the Hanlin Academy looked at one another in dismay.

Writing reform?

Good heavens!

This is no small matter! It concerns the cultural heritage of the entire Longyan!

Writing!

In the eyes of the literati, this is the most sacred thing! It is writing that allows them to communicate with others; it is writing that carries the traditional culture of Longyan; it is writing that makes life vivid and the world beautiful!

These people have always treated writing with the utmost reverence and respect!

And now you say you want to reform writing?

Chen Qian's expression was not very pleasant. The look he had given Liu Zheng just moments ago still held some respect and kindness. But now, his eyes held only anger and incomprehension.

He's gotten carried away!

He felt that this young man, Liu Zheng, had gotten carried away!

Because the entire Longyan Dynasty has lasted for thousands of years, and there has never been a situation where the authorities wanted to reform writing. Although there are changes in the public's pursuit of various fonts—for example, some like Cursive Script, some like Clerical Script, some like Small Seal Script, and some like Running Script—these are merely differences between schools.

Ever since Qinshihuang unified the writing of the world, there has never been a true writing reform.

This Liu Zheng...

Although he is not the Emperor!

His ambition is even greater than the Emperor's!

"Absolutely not!"

Chen Qian shouted decisively.

Others also slammed the tables.

"Absolutely impossible!"

"Writing is the source of all literature; Vice Minister Liu, this must not be done!"

"Absurd! For the sake of political achievements, Vice Minister Liu ignores traditional culture; absurd, absurd!"

A group of people, not even knowing how Liu Zheng wanted to reform it, had already begun to defend their position.

Liu Zheng gave a bitter smile. He had known from the start that this matter would not be so easy, which is why he had come in person today. The scholars of Longyan fundamentally possess a traditional, conservative, and stubborn mindset. It could also be said that Confucian culture makes their reverence for the ancients exceed their ability to adapt to the changes of the times. They prefer to continue tradition rather than break conventions and keep pace with the times. This is the biggest reason why, in his past life, Huaxia civilization lagged behind and suffered.

He knew that today's debate was of the utmost importance.

Therefore, he had prepared well along the way.

He chuckled and looked at Chen Qian: "Chen Lao, what does Chen Lao consider to be the significance of the Hanlin Academy's existence?"

At this sentence, the clamor of everyone ceased.

A debate was about to begin!

This sentence would spark a conventional debate between ancient literati!

Those who had just felt that Liu Zheng had gotten carried away after gaining absolute power felt a strange sensation in their hearts once more. So, this Vice Minister Liu was not here to force them, but to persuade them!

Good!

He is a man!

He is a figure of substance!

The people of the Hanlin Academy puffed out their chests, looking on with burning eyes.

Chen Qian was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily: "The kings of old, in building a nation and governing the people, made education the priority! And the Hanlin Academy governs the literature of the world; Vice Minister Liu, what do you think of that?"

"Good!"

"Bravo!"

"Well said, Teacher!"

The Hanlin Academy governs the literati of the world; this is beyond doubt. Literati of the world, whether of noble birth or from humble origins, all take pride in entering the Hanlin Academy. To govern the literature of the world and lead the direction of the literati is no exaggeration at all.

Liu Zheng nodded with a smile.

He continued to ask: "Then what is education? Liu Zheng believes that to transform the people and establish customs, one must rely on learning. Chen

Lao, what do you think?"

"Agreed!"

Chen Qian thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

He did not know that he had already stepped, step by step, into Liu Zheng's trap.

To transform the people and establish customs, one must rely on learning. This means that if a monarch wishes to educate the people and form good social customs and habits, one must start with education. Therefore, the greatest responsibility borne by education is not the transmission of knowledge, but the changing of customs! This is the viewpoint of social functionalism!

The disciplines at the Hanlin Academy naturally include the study of sociology, and regarding this, there was no disagreement.

Liu Zheng continued to smile: "The ancients said, the effort of educating children lies first in regulating the family, and second in choosing a teacher; is this so or not?"

The group looked at each other and nodded in unison again.

Liu Zheng laughed, took a sip of tea, and asked calmly: "What is a teacher?"

What is a teacher?

This question was somewhat broad.

Soon, everyone present began to cite classics and speak one after another.

Finally, it was Chen Qian's turn. He smiled slightly and looked quietly at Liu Zheng: "I remember that when Vice Minister Liu was lecturing in the Western Regions, you once said that the governance of the world lies in talent, the cultivation of talent lies in education, those who hold the office of education are the teachers and scholars, those who promote education to the people are the officials of the commanderies and counties, and the foundation of education lies in schools."

"Therefore, the Hanlin Academy holds Vice Minister Liu's advocacy for building schools and establishing Public Schooling in the highest regard. Feeling the compassion of Heaven and the merit of Vice Minister Liu, the Hanlin Academy shall exhaust its efforts and serve until death!"

Chen Qian's single sentence resonated with the entire room.

Everyone here was dedicated to Learning and academia, possessing a broader perspective than those self-important, self-proclaimed lofty literati.

Therefore, they stood up one after another to express their gratitude to Liu Zheng.

Liu Zheng, however, waved his hand and smiled slightly: "However, Liu Zheng believes that the foundation of schools lies in books!"

Books!

The eyes of the crowd lit up upon hearing this.

Because when Liu Zheng was previously in the Western Regions debating others, he had highlighted the role of schools. Whether it was Public School or Private School, it had sparked various reforms throughout Longyan, allowing commoners to read and the masses to be educated. Reading was no longer the exclusive privilege of the wealthy.

This was what had allowed a group of talents like Zou Sheng to begin emerging in Longyan.

Read ten thousand books, and your writing will flow like divine inspiration!

Travel a thousand miles, read ten thousand books!

Forty years of studying laws and books, a clear sky above the official's cap!

Lamp light at the third watch, the rooster at the fifth; this is the time for a man to study!

Reading until spring deepens, an inch of time is worth an inch of gold!

Regarding exhortations to study, the essays and poems from ancient times are countless. One could pick out a line at any moment.

However.

Everyone knew.

The "books" Liu Zheng spoke of were different from the books the ancients spoke of. The books the ancients spoke of were Learning, scholarship, study, and edification.

But the books Liu Zheng spoke of.

Were simply books.

They were concrete, physical objects.

Books are a person's first teacher...

This statement, while novel, was not something they had never heard before.

Chen Qian's eyes lit up even more upon hearing this.

"In teaching children today, one should focus solely on filial piety, fraternal duty, loyalty, trustworthiness, propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame. As for the methods of cultivation and nourishment, one should entice them with songs and poems to inspire their aspirations; guide them in practicing rituals to solemnize their demeanor; and urge them to read books to awaken their perception!"

The Hanlin Academy had always been researching the fundamentals of education.

The meaning of this sentence was the method of cultivation and edification they had always considered correct! One could use interesting poems and the like to inspire children's inspiration, guide children to learn etiquette to make their image dignified, and teach children to read to let their wisdom sprout. However... nowadays, many scholars felt that those poems and verses did not conform to the fundamentals of education; they frequently pushed various obscure ancient texts as the righteous path, which was completely wrong!

Suddenly.

Everyone fell into deep thought.

Suddenly, Chen Qian remembered those primers Liu Zheng had written that had shocked even their Hanlin Academy.

His eyes lit up accordingly.

For the first time, he felt that Liu Zheng was likely not here to cause trouble today, but was very serious and wanted to accomplish something.