It is undeniable that many of Wang Anshi’s political ideas were ahead of their time, but what is interesting is that his ultimate goal was to strengthen centralization and monarchical power.
He never got out of this idea.
Wang Anshi's educational philosophy was pragmatic and frivolous. He believed that the content of the imperial examinations was too exaggerated and useless, so he wanted to set up specialized departments to train professional talents for the court to recruit.
What an advanced concept this was, but his purpose was to recruit talents for the court. He did not consider that society also needed talents. If these talents could use their talents in the community, society would also be able to progress.
On the contrary, Fan Zhongyan, Fu Bi, Han Qi, Wen Yanbo, a group of old ministers of the Qingli period, all hoped to limit the monarch's centralization of power.
For example, Fan Zhongyan tried to apply the ancestral laws directly to the emperor.
We must take precautions against any incident and regulate the situation. If you, the emperor, have the final say, this would be a violation of the laws of our ancestors.
The idea of the scholar-officials governing the world together with the emperor was actually developed and promoted by this group of ministers.
Fan Zhongyan and Wen Yanbo both confronted the emperor and stated directly that the emperor and the literati would rule the world together.
Sima Guang actually took the same route.
...
...
What are innovation and conservatism fighting over?
Is it just a political idea?
And Fu Bi, Wen Yanbo and others, were they just against Wang Anshi?
Not necessarily.
Because the person they feared the most was definitely not Wang Anshi.
Since ancient times, all party struggles have actually revolved around imperial power.
Zhang Fei's graduation certificate system was not limited to the imperial court, but opened education to the entire society.
In fact, there is also a hidden idea of limiting imperial power.
The purpose of the imperial examination system is to recruit all the smartest people in the world to be by the emperor's side and make them the emperor's people, so that he can sit securely on the throne.
If education becomes a means of supplying talent to society, it will certainly weaken the imperial power.
It's just that talents go to high places and water flows to low places. Being an official has always been the most respected thing for the Chinese nation. However, the influence is very limited, and it must go through a long period of subtle influence before some results can be seen.
But this concept is obviously very consistent with Sima Guang's governing philosophy.
He also advocated the idea of helping the world when he was rich and improving himself when he was poor. In history, after Wang Anshi came to power, he went to compile Zizhi Tongjian. In fact, Zhao Xu wanted to keep him. As an emperor, he must have a balance, but Sima Guang resolutely refused. M..
It was only after Empress Dowager Gao came to power that he returned and began to settle accounts with the New Deal.
The same was true of Wang Anshi. During the reigns of Renzong and Yingzong, he also chose to stay away from the central government.
"wonderful!"
Sima Guang said excitedly: "This diploma is really amazing. Haha... Zhang San, you don't know how to teach. Even those of us who are already teachers don't understand education as deeply as you do! What do you think, Zhongtu?"
Xu Zun smiled naively and nodded.
Of course he was very happy when people praised his son-in-law, but he didn't want to brag about himself.
Zhang Fei hurriedly said, "Mr. Sima, you are too kind. Building a school and giving lectures are two different things and cannot be confused."
Sima Guang said: "But if we talk about the law, I still believe that you are capable enough to handle it. This matter is settled, don't discuss it further."
Zhang Fei smiled.
If he had not planned long ago to enter the officialdom through Sima Guang, he really would not have agreed. In the Song Dynasty, he could either be a science teacher (one plus one equals two), or not be one.
There is no first in literature, and no second in martial arts.
This is something that cannot be argued clearly!
Zhang Fei doesn't want to argue with those literati every day.
Now that Sima Guang had planned this path for him, he also knew that he would not stay in the Imperial College for too long, so he had no choice but to agree.
After Sima Guang left, Xu Zhiqian immediately said, "Zhang San, Sima Guang is obviously trying to use the teaching as an excuse to pull you over to his side."
Her tone was mixed with joy and sorrow. She had always hoped that Zhang Fei could become an official and show his talents, but in fact, both Xu Zun and she, Xu Zhiqian, supported Wang Anshi, not Sima Guang.
Deep down, Xu Zhiqian hoped that Zhang Fei could assist Wang Anshi in his reforms.
"I know."
Zhang Fei nodded and asked Xu Zun, "What do you think, father-in-law?"
Xu Zun stroked his beard and smiled slightly, "Actually, everyone knows that it's only a matter of time before you become an official. And with your cunningness, there's not much I can teach you. I only hope you can do one thing."
Zhang Fei hurriedly asked, "Father-in-law, please speak."
Xu Zun said: "If you are not in the position, do not interfere in the affairs of others."
Although he supported Wang Anshi in his heart, he never let his power leave the Dali Temple or the current Procuratorate. Fan Chunren and Su Shi actually failed to do this well at the beginning.
Zhang Fei couldn't help but smile bitterly when he heard this, "I'm afraid this is very difficult."
Xu Zhiqian asked curiously, "What's the difficulty?"
Zhang Fei glanced at her and snorted, "If I want to be an official, how can I start from the ninth rank?"
Xu Zunfuxu smiled and nodded, "As a minister, no matter what position I hold, I serve the monarch."
Xu Zhiqian finally reacted.
Zhang Fei is on Zhao Xu's side. Zhao Xu took great pains to recruit him, certainly not to make him an assistant coach. How could he not interfere in other people's affairs when he is not in the position to do so?
Not to mention Zhao Xu, Wang Anshi also had expectations for him.
Zhang Fei originally wanted to rest at home for a few days as he had been very busy these days. He also wanted to see if Fan Zheng and the others could handle these matters without him.
However, at this critical moment, how could he be given a chance to catch his breath?
The next day, Lu Huiqing came to the door.
"I wonder why Principal Lu came to visit me?" Zhang Fei asked.
Lu Huiqing said with a smile: "You might as well try to guess."
Facing this person, Zhang Fei did not dare to be careless. He asked very cautiously: "Is it because of my lecture at the Law Academy?"
Lu Huiqing smiled and said, "This is just one of them, but this is not the main reason why I came here."
Zhang Fei asked curiously, "Then why is it?"
Lu Huiqing asked, "Do you know that since your movable type workshop was built, many people have applied for permission to publish newspapers in the court?"
Could something have happened over there? How come I didn't know anything about it? Zhang Fei's heart skipped a beat and he nodded, "I know that."
Lu Huiqing said, "I heard that some people in the court want to start a newspaper to explain their political ideas, and even attack the political ideas of my mentor. So I also want to start a newspaper for the new policy. What do you think?"
After hearing this, Zhang Fei felt a little relieved. "Lu Xiaojian is really thoughtful. I think this is necessary, even more necessary than the other party."
Lu Huiqing asked: "What suggestions do you have?"
Using newspapers for propaganda is not the same as the traditional way of controlling public opinion. Wang Anshi proved this with several failures.
Zhang Fei thought for a moment and said, "Does Lu still remember the license plate and street infringement incident?"
Lu Huiqing nodded and said, "This happened recently, of course I remember it."
Zhang Fei asked again: "Has Lu Xiaokan read the several issues of the news newspaper that were published at that time?"
Lu Huiqing nodded. "You mean, take what people hear and publish it in the newspapers, so as to imply the bad policies of the court and guide the people to pay attention to the new policies?"
Zhang Fei smiled and nodded, "That's right, but it must be true and representative, and the articles must be interesting. Especially for a new newspaper, it must attract the people. This is the key. If no one is interested in two or three articles in a row, then no one will read them anymore."
Lu Huiqing nodded and said, "Maybe you need to help me check this. My mentor and I don't fully understand the psychology of the people."
He also thought that Zhang Fei’s previous articles would not become popular, but...
He really admires this.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "No problem."
Lu Huiqing asked again: "But can we publish some of my mentor's articles?"
After the previous lessons, he was now somewhat hesitant to publish Wang Anshi's articles.
Zhang Fei smiled and said, "Of course, we must strive to win over public opinion, but if we want to succeed, we should win over scholars. In fact, what I did before was to use public opinion to win over scholars."
"I understand." Lu Huiqing nodded slightly.
Just at this moment, several people in uniform suddenly came.
"How many are they?"
Zhang Fei looked at them with curiosity.
The leader said, "We are following the order of the scholar Sima to deliver this official document and official uniform to your residence."
Zhang Fei was completely confused.
We just talked about this yesterday and he hasn't given an accurate answer yet, but today the official uniform was delivered.
What the hell...... Zhang Fei asked curiously: "Is this official uniform made so quickly?"
The man immediately said, "The official uniform may not fit you well. Please change it yourself immediately."
“.......!”
Zhang Fei was speechless. Is this the treatment for those below the ninth rank?
You have to modify your official uniform yourself.
At this time, Lu Huiqing came over and said, "Congratulations, congratulations. This is really cause for celebration!"
Zhang Fei glanced at Lu Huiqing. You are congratulating me for successfully infiltrating the enemy. He smiled awkwardly and said, "Thank you very much."
Then he ordered Li Si to accept these and gave the visitor some money.
After they left, Zhang Fei said to Lu Huiqing, "To be honest with you, Mr. Sima mentioned this to me yesterday, and I was still thinking about it. I never thought that the official document would be delivered today. Is the court's appointment of officials so rough?"
There is really no sense of ceremony in being an official.
A piece of official document and an official uniform.
That’s all.
It just feels so unreal.
Lu Huiqing chuckled and said, "This is of course a special case, but it's no wonder. Sima Xueshi is very worried about you joining the Regulations Office of the Two Prefectures. As long as you let him know, he will definitely hurry up and make this matter a reality first."
Could it be that Old Sima Guang did this to confuse his opponent? Zhang Fei muttered to himself, because Sima Guang knew that he would definitely stand on his side, and pretended to be worried, "But I don't know much about teaching, I really don't know if this arrangement is reasonable."
Lu Huiqing frowned slightly and said, "It is indeed unexpected for us to let you go to the Imperial Academy for training, but with your eloquence, I believe this will not be difficult for you, and it won't be long before Sima Xueshi will transfer you to a local place."
Zhang Fei immediately said, "Please rest assured, Proofreader Lu, I will never let them destroy the new law easily."
Lu Huiqing smiled and nodded, saying, "My mentor and I both trust you very much. As long as you go to work as an official in a local government, my mentor will find a way to promote you."
Zhang Fei clasped his fists and said, "Thank you very much."
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