Look at that newspaper, all about how my "prodigal son" paid for shipping at his own expense and how loyal he was to his country! Who could ruin the family fortune like that... Ah? Ah!
Build momentum in advance and publicize it widely. Zhu Youxiao naturally understood this better than anyone else.
What is "killing scholars and burying Confucian scholars"? Just look at the bad deeds of many local officials and students. They are no different from local thugs and bullies. They are simply local evil forces.
It’s not enough to just talk about it. I have to list them one by one, slap you in the face, and tear off your fig leaf.
"The Qingjins are getting more and more arrogant, often threatening their superiors with Qin's murder. Even the gentry in the countryside are afraid of them like lackeys. Sometimes, when wealthy people have beautiful women for a banquet, they will always invite one or two scholars to sit in the seats of honor to prevent any accidents."
In the past, students would hide their experiences when they took prostitutes out for banquets, but now they are not only not afraid of rumors, but also protect the gentry. What kind of nonsense is this?
"In the early days of the country, when people were chosen as students, they would often resent and curse at each other, as if they were doing heavy labor. The school rules were very strict. All students lived in dormitories, had daily classes, and were not allowed to take a day off. People thought it was a hardship. At that time, the teacher's dignity was very high...Now, the teacher's dignity is declining, and students treat their teachers like peers, and some even joke with each other."
In the past, students and scholars, thanks to strict academic rules, respected their teachers and studied diligently. But now, with the status of teachers and students changing, and many students becoming less diligent, how can they still harbor the ambition to govern their families, their country, and their world?
"When a poor scholar succeeds in passing the imperial examination, he will ask the county official for permission to write a book and take over the land of his relatives, students and old acquaintances. If the original land is only 100 mu, and it is increased to 2,000 mu, the required amount is 300 taels of silver. The person in charge will be ordered to supervise the households to pay the tax every day... As soon as the scholar is released, he will enjoy 200 mu of land without paying any silver."
The serious tax arrears in Jiangnan were largely due to the tax evasion of students who were exempted from military service. Not only did these students evade taxes themselves, they also took over the taxes paid by wealthy families, embezzling the required sums. Beneath their guise of morality, they were utterly greedy and evading taxes.
"When lawsuits arose among the people, each would hire a scholar he knew to bring them to justice in court. Thus, the people of Wu insulted each other, leading to the saying 'hire a scholar to beat you up.'"
Students often stir up trouble in civil litigation, initiate lawsuits, and seek benefits. Hiring a scholar to beat you reflects the students' dominant position in lawsuits and their bad behavior.
"Daming Forum" published a series of articles, listing facts, giving examples, with sharp and penetrating words, exposing the various illegal activities of gentry and students to the public.
This wave of public criticism played a great role. The lawbreakers were worried and humiliated; those who complained were ashamed and kept silent; and the law-abiding people became more vigilant and became more studious and law-abiding.
"All the debts have been cleared and repaid, right? There is no hidden or illegal activities at all?" Wu Changshi asked the housekeeper again. After receiving an affirmative answer, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Xia Yunyi smiled wryly and shook his head, thinking that Wu Changshi had been frightened out of his mind. He, however, was a man of integrity and not afraid of ghosts knocking on his door in the middle of the night.
The latest decree of the imperial court had indeed hit the weak points of the students and gentry, stripping them of their official titles and reputations, and prohibiting them from taking the imperial examinations and entering officialdom for life. This was even more severe than killing them.
Why couldn’t the arrogance and lawlessness of the gentry and students be curbed in the past? In modern terms, it was because “the cost of crime was too low.”
Now, not only will you be severely punished, but your base of support will be shattered at once. You are not a student, not a gentry, but just an ordinary citizen. Let's see how you can still be so arrogant and show off.
Not to mention the government, local thugs and gangsters, even the common people who used to bow down to you can bully you. The gap is so huge that it is difficult for ordinary people to accept.
Then who can you blame for all this?
The imperial court has issued warnings several times, and has started compiling the Yellow Book and the Fish Scale Book, measuring the land and checking the books, and clearing up the arrears and hidden omissions. This work started several months ago.
You thought the imperial court wouldn't take it seriously; you thought the local government was as weak as before, or even complicit in the corruption; you thought you weren't the only one committing illegal acts; you thought...
Well, what you thought did not happen. Although the court’s punishment was severe, it could not be regarded as “punishing without teaching”; even the discussion of “killing scholars and burying Confucian scholars in violation of the law” was diluted by the fines and confiscations figures listed in the newspapers.
This is similar to the way they dealt with Li Sancai, killing people and destroying their hearts.
Look at the property of those local officials and students that were confiscated, and you will find that none of them were poor.
They may not be extremely wealthy, but they are still a classy family. Yet, they are still shamelessly greedy. They take advantage of tax exemptions and still evade taxes. How can they deserve sympathy?
"Brother Wu." Xia Yunyi raised his voice and finally called Wu Changshi back to his senses, but his eyes were still a little dull and he looked at him stupidly.
With a bow, Xia Yunyi began to speak, "As the saying goes, a gentleman's learning is about understanding the times; one should be prepared to act accordingly. Therefore, I, Chen Renzhong, and Xu Angong are about to travel to the capital to study. I wonder if Brother Wu would be willing to join us?"
Wu Changshi thought of the heads that had been chopped off in the capital, and his face changed slightly. He quickly shook his head and said, "I want to study hard, so I will not travel with you."
Xia Yunyi was unconcerned and continued to advise: "Vulgar scholars are ancient, not modern, picking up superficiality and neglecting substance. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling a thousand miles. Going out and seeing the world may benefit you greatly."
After a pause, Xia Yunyi added, "Besides, the imperial court has also established new schools to cultivate talents for 'managing the country and making practical use of it'. It would be nice to go and take a look."
Wu Changshi still shook his head and said, "I still think it's better to take the official path of the imperial examination. I hope Brother Xia won't mind."
Xia Yunyi smiled and said, "Everyone has their own aspirations. How can I force them? In that case, I will take my leave."
Wu Changshi stood up to see him off and accompanied Xia Yunyi all the way to the gate of his house before turning around and leaving.
In the cold wind, Xia Yunyi tightened his winter clothes and quickened his pace, feeling surprised that Wu Changshi had become so dull and withdrawn.
But soon, he began to think about the establishment of new schools in the court again.
This was a notice published in the newspaper. Some of the simple and plain words in it touched him deeply, as did Chen Zilong and Xu Fuyuan who went to the capital with him.
Why study to learn practical skills for governing the country? What contribution can a student make to the country and its people? Do you feel justified in enjoying preferential treatment from the imperial court?
At first glance, these three questions seem easy to answer. But upon closer examination, I feel a bit guilty about answering them, and I can't be proud of them.
Only after arriving in the capital, seeing, hearing and reflecting on what is happening, can all the questions in your heart be answered, right?
Xia Yunyi exhaled a puff of white air, revealing an expectant expression. His footsteps rustled as he stepped on the slightly frozen road surface as he ran towards the distance.
The most active advocates of this study trip to the capital were actually Chen Zilong, a native of Huating, Songjiang, and Xu Guangqi, a native of Fahuahui, Shanghai. In later generations, both were considered Shanghainese.
Chen Zilong admired Xu Guangqi's character and knowledge very much, and praised Xu Guangqi for "having the ambition to govern the world, and his lifelong learning was extensive in the study of nature and man, but all of it was focused on practical application. As for farming, he paid special attention to it. He believed that it was the source of educating the people and the foundation of the country's prosperity."
Historically, it was Chen Zilong who compiled the draft of "Book of Agriculture" left by Xu Guangqi, and completed the 60-volume "Complete Book of Agricultural Administration", which also expressed his own social and economic ideas.
Chen Zilong's main purpose of coming to Beijing this time was to visit Xu Guangqi and ask him for advice on "current affairs."
Xu Fuyuan and Xia Yunyi were also troubled by the recent actions of the court, and at the sincere invitation of their good friend, they went together.
…………
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
