Chapter 515 The Real Jixia Academy
In late spring, willow catkins filled the air in Chang'an. The bronze chimes in the square of Jixia Academy resounded loudly as more than a hundred officials in official robes surrounded four vermilion-lacquered high platforms.
Since its establishment, the Jixia Academy has been more like a forum for philosophical discussions than an academy. Scholars from various schools of thought would take the stage to hold debates and lectures to promote their own doctrines.
Today is the day that Confucianism and Legalism agreed upon for their discussion.
The Han Dynasty has been nurtured by the teachings of Huang-Lao (the Way of the Yellow Emperor and Laozi) until now, with a full treasury and a stable court. Everyone can see that the current emperor has lofty ambitions. As a result, the contest between Confucianism and Legalism has become increasingly apparent.
Today's participants are not ordinary students, but representatives from two established families who hold official positions: Dong Zhongshu and Gongsun Hong of the Confucian school, and Zhang Tang and Sang Hongyang of the Legalist school.
On the high platform, Dong Zhongshu's wide sleeves swept across the jade table, his white beard fluttering in the wind: "Gentlemen, please look—"
He unrolled a scroll of bamboo slips, the seal script gleaming in the sunlight. "The Spring and Autumn Annals says, 'A true ruler acts in accordance with the will of Heaven.' He should use the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues as his framework, educating the people like a gentle spring breeze. The Qin dynasty's harsh laws led to its demise after only two generations—clear evidence of going against Heaven's will!"
The Confucian disciples in the audience responded with enthusiastic applause, which was like waves.
Gongsun Hong gently shook his ivory tablet, his gaze sweeping over the Legalist seats on the west side of the square: "Governing a country is like controlling water; it is better to dredge than to block. Now Your Majesty is extensively building the Jixia Academy and widely accepting the strengths of various schools of thought, precisely to instill benevolence in people's hearts. If the people all know propriety, righteousness, integrity, and a sense of shame, why would there be any need for the punishment of sawing and beheading?"
"You pedantic scholars, spouting nonsense!" Zhang Tang suddenly stood up, the ring-pommel sword at his waist clanging against the bronze gong. "Without the system of collective punishment, how could the Rebellion of the Seven States have been quelled? Without the order to report those who have amassed wealth, would the Xiongnu cavalry have stopped their advance?"
He pointed to the majestic Weiyang Palace outside the square, "The law is the bronze sword in His Majesty's hand; only by cutting down the wicked can the world be stabilized!"
The Legalist students watching cheered and argued with the Confucian disciples in the crowd.
Sang Hongyang, tall and elegant with an extraordinary bearing, took a different approach, starting with commerce: "The world is bustling, all for profit. The salt and iron monopolies and the equalization of transport and price stabilization are not about robbing the people of their wealth through harsh policies, but rather about enriching the nation. Only with a full treasury can we defeat the Xiongnu in the north and pacify the Baiyue in the south. Such a grand plan cannot be achieved through mere 'self-discipline and adherence to propriety'."
Upon hearing this, the curious onlookers whispered amongst themselves, listening with great interest.
Dong Zhongshu shook his head and laughed: "Law is secondary; rites are fundamental. Just like the palace walls of Chang'an City—" He pointed to the Chang Le Palace in the distance, "No matter how sturdy the bricks and stones are, without mortise and tenon joints, they will eventually be a pile of loose sand."
Before Zhang Tang could utter his rebuttal, he suddenly saw a blinding light coming from the center of the square.
"That is..."
Following his call, everyone looked over and saw that the black stone tablet engraved with the seal script characters "Jixia Academy" was emitting a flowing halo, and a red beam of light pierced through the clouds, like a long sword descending from the sky, splitting the evening clouds of Chang'an City in two.
Layers of illusions appeared in mid-air—
Sparks flew from the clash of spears and halberds, dust billowed by armored cavalry, and the blood-red setting sun obscured by banners.
The afterimages of armored warriors flashed by like a revolving lantern, and the clanging of bronze swords colliding with leather shields was so loud it hurt one's eardrums.
Suddenly, all the illusions coalesced into two large crimson characters—"Military Strategist"—which exploded in the air, transforming into countless streams of light that were then reinjected into the stone tablet.
As the last ray of light faded, new symbols emerged on the surface of the stone tablet: crossed bronze swords and halberds, with a drop of dark red light condensing at the tip of the blade.
Just then, a deep voice pierced everyone's ears, like the war drums from an ancient battlefield, or the clanging of metal against metal: "The Jixia Academy's Military Academy is officially open!"
An eerie silence fell over the square.
Did you hear that?
"military commander?"
"This...this could be a sign from Heaven?"
Whispers rose and fell among the crowd, like waves of wheat swaying in the wind, spreading shock and unease across the square.
Dong Zhongshu gripped his beard tightly, recalling the Emperor's sudden change in policies after taking power and the emphasis placed on various schools of thought. He then gazed thoughtfully at the exceptionally majestic academy before him.
"Could this be... the real Jixia Academy?"
...
[Current Task: (Military School) Complete the successor assessment and unlock the Military School Academy √]
Inside the Xuan Shi Hall, upon receiving the notification that the mission was completed, Liu Che smiled brightly. Wei Qing and Qu Bing had indeed lived up to his expectations.
Before long, Wei Qing and Huo Qubing reappeared in the hall, their black outfits still carrying a lingering chill, with the hem of their clothes seemingly shrouded in the smoke of battle.
The two slowly opened their eyes, their gazes sharp as drawn blades, the murderous aura emanating from them making the air in the hall seem to freeze. But the moment they looked up and saw Liu Che, the rampant killing intent receded like a receding tide.
Without hesitation, the two knelt on one knee and declared loudly, "Your subjects will not fail in their mission!"
Liu Che laughed and stepped forward, his eyes full of praise and excitement: "Good! Good!" He gestured with his hands to support Liu Che, his voice filled with excitement, "Now that the Military Academy has officially opened, there are many complicated matters to attend to. It is precisely the time when we need people. You two still need to do your best."
Wei Qing and Huo Qubing exchanged a glance, their eyes burning with passion.
Huo Qubing, young and impetuous, was the first to loudly reply, "Yes!"
Wei Qing replied in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations!"
Having passed the military strategist's test and experienced his superb martial arts skills, the two knew that this was not only an opportunity, but also an unparalleled trust.
Seeing how much Liu Che valued him, the blood in his chest surged so intensely that it almost burst out of his chest. The heroic sentiment of "a scholar will die for his confidant" welled up in his heart, and he wished he could rush to the battlefield immediately to expand Liu Che's territory and achieve unparalleled feats.
Seeing this, Liu Che was even more satisfied. What he wanted was a successor, and even more so, a successor who was wholeheartedly devoted to him.
[Military Academy Series Missions - Part 1: Master Teachers] How can a high-quality academy be without excellent teachers?
Please recruit at least three professional teachers for your college (0/3)
Hint: See which renowned teachers the disciples have connected with (the teachers' favorability towards the disciples influences their willingness to join).
II. What is the lack of a college with few or no students?
Recruit at least 10 students for your college now! (0/10)
Tip: If a student's military talent is too low, the teacher might go on strike!
III. Opening Ceremony (To be unlocked)
Noticing the newly appeared task, Liu Che raised an eyebrow. The second one was easy to handle. He had previously obtained the talent assessment function from the system, which made it convenient for him to see an individual's talents and strengths. He could complete the task, but it was a little troublesome.
However, it is reasonable for him to personally attend the opening of the first academy of Jixia Academy. After that, when opening other academies, we need to find a way to identify talents.
As for the first task...
Liu Che looked up and gazed gently at Wei Qing and Huo Qubing.
"Zhongqing, Qubing, how did you get along with those teachers in the assessment space just now? How about we invite them to teach at the academy?"
Wei Qing and Huo Qubing exchanged a glance. Thinking of Meng Tian and Zhang Han, who had mercilessly pounded them in the spatial dimension, they couldn't help but feel a pang of pain in their limbs. Hesitantly, they asked, "Then... shall we give it a try?"
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