"Is the new learning also rational learning?" Zhao Jiu naturally knew about the rational learning of the Cheng brothers, but he couldn't help but be curious about the new learning.

"It doesn't count." Lu Haowen shook his head seriously. "Neo-Confucianism is about morality and the principles of nature. Although Wang Shuwang is well-versed in ancient and modern knowledge, his new learning is only for his new law, emphasizing utilitarianism, but lacking in principles of nature and morality..."

"I think it's better to talk about utilitarianism than morality." Zhao Jiu responded immediately. "Of course, we still need to explore the principles of heaven."

Lu Haowen's instinct was stunned at first, but then he felt slightly moved.

"Then which sect do you belong to, Mr. Lu?" Zhao Jiu continued to ask.

"Your Majesty..." Lu Haowen became more serious, but he took a breath before replying in a serious tone. "Your Majesty is a family scholar. As early as the time of my grandfather Xianshen Gong (Lü Gongzhu), it was already known as Lü School. Although the so-called Lü School has the theory of 'focusing on the mind' and is also long-standing in Buddhist terms, it is also known to the world that it is similar to Zhang Hengqu's Guan School... In the past, when Mr. Hengqu entered the capital, the Guan School, Luo School, and New School were the three major schools of thought. It was my grandfather Xianshen Gong who made great efforts to achieve this."

Zhao Jiu looked calm and nodded slightly, "So that's how it is. It's a pity... I always think that Wang Shuwang's new learning is the foundation of the country and should not be abandoned lightly. However, it is indeed lacking in the theory of heavenly principles and cannot compete with the Taoist concept of nothingness and the Buddhist concept of emptiness. If Taoism and new learning can coexist, wouldn't it be perfect? ​​But the disputes between these schools seem to be deeper than the hatred between the Song and Jin countries, forcing me to stick to the new learning! It's really incomprehensible!"

Lu Haowen hesitated for a moment, but ultimately remained silent.

"Mr. Lu just said there is a compromise?" Zhao Jiufu returned to the previous topic. "What is it?"

"Although the government cannot use laws or decrees to force the wealthy families in the south to release the refugees they bought from Hebei, they can encourage them to release them voluntarily and reward the best of them with official titles." Lu Haowen quickly abandoned the confusing discussion and went straight to the pavilion. "At the same time, we can also hold special examinations to win over the hearts of the people in the south."

Zhao Jiu couldn't help but laugh: "The first one is fine, but the second one, isn't it that Prime Minister Lu is bullying me again for forgetting the story of falling into the well in Mingdao Palace? Even if I am confused, I know now that when Cai Jing was in power, he had already changed the imperial examination system to a three-level system of county schools, state schools, and imperial colleges, and then directly recruited scholars from the Imperial College... For example, Wanqi Xie and Hu Hongxiu were both students of the Imperial College, and Li Qiong was a state student... If you want to open an imperial examination, don't you have to abolish this three-level system first?"

Lu Haowen hesitated for a moment, but still tried to make a suggestion: "Governor, the three-level school system is unfair, and is often taken advantage of by the children of the rich and powerful. When it comes to the local system, it is simply as ridiculous as the recommendation system. I still think that we should restore the old imperial examination system..."

"Is there not enough officials in this dynasty?" Zhao Jiu shook his head. "But what you said makes sense. How about this? Let's compromise and split it into two parts. On the one hand, let the state students come to Beijing first, take the exam with a blank name, and admit a certain number of imperial students. The imperial students will then go to the palace to participate in the palace examination, which is considered a great grace. Then, for those who have been released and redeemed in large numbers, they will be directly granted the status of state students and imperial students. State students are allowed to come directly to take the exam, and imperial students are allowed to go directly to the palace to participate in the palace examination..."

At this point, Zhao Jiu seemed to be thinking about something, and then added: "There are also scholars who have made contributions in the army, and officials who have made outstanding achievements in the local area. They can all follow this example and be granted the title of state students or imperial students, so that they can earn a status... This can be a wartime rule, and this year's case can be handled before the Mid-Autumn Festival, how about it?"

Lu Haowen hesitated again, but finally nodded reluctantly: "Just as the emperor said, I will do my best to talk to Mr. Xu when I go back."

Zhao Jiu nodded slowly.

After saying this, the emperor and his minister finally sat down in the pavilion again, and just drank tea and chatted, no longer discussing unnecessary state affairs.

However, just as the two were chatting, Yang Yizhong, dressed in silk and satin clothes, suddenly came from the front yard, and only stopped in front of the pavilion, bowing and saluting solemnly.

Zhao Jiu and Lu Haowen looked at each other, and their hearts sank.

"Your Majesty, my lord... The army of Taiwei Lu in Jingdong reported to the Privy Council in Dongjing that the Pseudo-Qi army was making a large-scale move. The troops from Jinan Prefecture and Yanzhou went to Dongping Prefecture, and the troops from Qingzhou also went to Yizhou." Yang Yizhong kept reporting. "The Privy Council guessed that the Pseudo-Qi army was watching Taiwei Yue's troops and thought they had found an opportunity. At this time, Taiwei Yue should have already sent out his troops."

When Zhao Jiu heard that it was heading to Jingdong, he was completely relieved... He was worried that Zhong Xiang of Dongting Lake would make trouble at this time, and he really didn't care about Jinan.

This is not to say that Zhong Xiang is stronger than Liu Yu, Li Cheng, and Kong Yanzhou. In fact, according to Zhao Jiu's judgment and understanding, compared with those traitors and ambitious people in the Pseudo-Qi who at least have impeccable personal abilities, Zhong Xiang, who is sometimes loyal to the king and sometimes the King of Chu, is basically a mediocre person. However, the current situation determines that if Zhong Xiang rebels, he will cause the greatest harm to the overall situation, which is far beyond the reach of the Pseudo-Qi side, which has already made preparations for a rebellion.

Therefore, after listening to the report, Zhao Jiu did not move at all, but just replied casually: "I know."

Both Yang Yi Zhong and Lu Haowen were surprised, but had nothing to say. So, the three of them talked about a few more details and then decided that Lu Haowen would continue to return to the Eight Tombs to participate in the sacrifices, while Emperor Zhao would return to Tokyo to take charge in order to reassure the people.

In addition, in order to train the imperial guards to speed up the battle and decide the outcome quickly, Emperor Zhao sent Yang Yizhong to lead 2,000 imperial guards to Jingdong to assist.

In this way, the three of them agreed that Emperor Zhao would remain seated in the pavilion, while the other two stood up one after another.

However, Lu Haowen hesitated again and again, and when he was more than ten steps outside the pavilion, he stopped and turned around to ask a question: "What kind of minister does the emperor think Lu Gong is?"

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